It is gratifying to see the city's fire hydrants very visible, and know our firemen are “at the ready.” It is also comforting to know the remarkable 1874 wooden fire wagon is well preserved. Discovered in a city shed during the 1955 centennial, the fire wagon was restored by the local firemen for use in parades and eventually brought to the Methodist Church Museum for safe keeping. With its 52" high wheels, 18 original water buckets of rubber coated canvas and swinging lanterns for light, it is a very impressive piece of equipment. It was April 1874 when the local firemen organized the Hook & Ladder Company.