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Founded in 1904, American LaFrance was an American vehicle manufacturer that primarily produced fire engines, fire aerials, and emergency apparatus. As one of the oldest fire apparatus manufacturers, it comes as no surprise that American LaFrance created some of the most cutting-edge apparatus of its time, including the 1927 IFD Water Tower No. 13.
American LaFrance produced and shipped the IFD Water Tower No. 13 from its headquarters in Elmira, New York, to Indianapolis Fire Department No. 13 in Indianapolis, Indiana. It included three complete pieces: the tractor, the trailer, and the tiller’s seat. At full height, the tower stood 65 feet, and the ladders were made of 3 pieces. The tower was originally powered by a chemical tank filled with a sodium bicarbonate solution. Like a soda/acid extinguisher, the chemical tank held a bottle of acid that, when combined with the sodium bicarbonate solution, created carbon dioxide gas. The pressure from this chemical reaction would propel the tower to its full height. Eventually, this chemical tank was replaced by a water tank, as spring and water-raised towers were easier and safer to use.
Around 1945, the IFD Water Tower was put into reserve, and the original tiller seat and wheel were removed and eventually thrown away. The vehicle stayed in reserve until the 1960s, when it was officially retired in 1969, replaced by a brand-new Snorkel fire engine. After 40 years of service, the IFD Water Tower moved to the Indianapolis Fire Department’s repair shop, where it remained in the possession of IFD historian Rodger J. Birchfield. In 2020, the IFD Water Tower found its home in the Koorsen Fire Museum.
Please click here to learn more about Rodger J. Birchfield and his dedication to the Indianapolis Fire Department.
