Ladder 1
1914 American LaFrance City Service Truck

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1914 - 1923 - Central Station on Eastern Ave. housed with Comb.1.
1923 - 1938 Central Station on Main St.

In 1914 an American LaFrance City Service ladder truck was delivered to the fire department. It replaced a horse drawn apparatus that had been in service since 1894. This was the first motorized ladder truck in the state of Vermont and cost $6000. It carried a 40 gallon chemical tank and had a 70 horse power engine. The truck had a wheel base of 20 ft 5 inches and a overall length of 42 ft. Ladder 1 carried 212 ft of ground ladders including a 60 ft Bangor ladder, 220 ft of hose and a life net. It was housed at the Central station on Eastern Ave. When it was arrived and manned by two full time firefighters and a call company of 15 firefighters. In 1923 it was relocated to the new Central Station on Main Street.

In 1938 it was replaced by a hydraulic aerial truck and sold to the St. Johnsbury Center Fire Department for $100. At the current time the location of this truck is unknown.

1914 American LaFrance in 1938 parked behind the firehouse.

Ladder 1 parked near the firehouse on Main Street in 1938.

June 22, 1938 Jim McCormick driving the 1914 ladder truck. The apparatus at right is the new 1938 Pirsch Ladder 1. Asst. Chief Claude Arnold is standing between the trucks.

Written on the back on this photo: "The day this picture was taken the old ladder truck was taken to St. J Center. They bought it. See the old thing smoke. Eddie Hoar is in the driver's seat. Sold for $100"