1904 Nott steam fire engine comes alive!

For the first time in over 25 years, TVF&R volunteers were able to fire up an antique 1904 Nott Steam Fire Engine. Volunteer Ken Lauderback explains.

Volunteer Guy Haynes shares some history about the engine -

The 1904 W.S. Nott Steamer is a Size 1 which pumps 1000gpm. Nott steamers were built in Minneapolis and in 1904 Nott opened a sales office in Spokane to serve the Northwest. Spokane purchased the 558 that is housed at TVF&R Station 58. It served in several capacities for the City of Spokane for many years. Spokane sold it in 1920, but we haven't found out who purchaser. It was spotted and identified by the 558 number which is cast into 2 different plates (one on each side) pumping water for a gold mining operation outside of Freedom, Idaho in 1930. In 1936 it was spotted in a wrecking yard in Lewiston, Idaho. It was outdoors at the yard until 1952 when it was purchased by the Gardiner family. It was clean up (but not restored) and put on display at The Yakima Valley Museum until the late 1970's when Myron Curtis, owner of Curtis Trailer purchased it. Myron employed Ken Lauderback to completely restore this rig from the ground up. Myron left instructions for the 558 to be donated to TVF&R after his death in the name of his son Milo Curtis. Milo retired from TVF&R after many years including the transition from Tualatin Rural to TVF&R. I have spent substantial time on line researching this steamer. It is very possible that this is the last remaining 1904 Nott Size 1 in existence, whether or not it is restored. I have not found another like it.