A century-old truck will be the focus of a Cobleskill Fire Department celebration August 26.
Volunteers are showcasing their 1923 American LaFrance with a 100th birthday party at the firehouse.
Running from 10am to 4pm, the celebration, with free refreshments, is open to the public.
Often seen now in parades, the American LaFrance was the first motorized fire apparatus in Schoharie County.
And even though the truck is 100 years old, it won’t be the oldest piece of equipment on hand August 26.
That honor belongs to the Scotia Hand Pumper Neptune #4, which was built in 1830. Used to pump water at the American Locomotive Works, the Neptune was purchased by the Scotia department in 1873.
It has a 200-gallon water tank, and it took 16 men to work the 22-foot handles to pump water.
Other antique emergency equipment will be at the celebration as well, including an old ambulance, a Seagraves truck and a Dodge ladder truck, according to Rich Albert, one of the organizers.
“We have eight pieces so far and expect more,” said Mr. Albert.
“We’re hoping it comes together. One hundred years only comes once.”
The Cobleskill Fire Department bought the century-old truck from the American LaFrance Fire Engine Company in Elmira in 1923 for $8,500.
The American LaFrance replaced a hand-drawn horse cart and was in Cobleskill’s service until 1949, when it was sold to the North American Cement Corporation in Howes Cave.
No longer needing the engine, the cement plant donated it back to the fire department in 1961.
Cobleskill volunteers restored the truck in the early ’60s, in 1982 and again a few years ago, Mr. Albert said.