Just a little more than one hundred years after first arriving in Thomasville, the 1916 American LaFrance Fire Engine Type 12 departed the property of the Thomas County Historical Society Monday, January 9 bound for a full restoration. It was the second motorized fire engine purchased by the Thomasville Fire Department, and the first new one. The fire engine remained in active service until 1955, having undergone several upgrades through the years.
In August 2015, the fire engine was moved back to the Roberts Family Garage, albeit with all accessories removed and in worsening condition. Then President Russ Jinright sought to have the fire engine restored; following Russ’s unexpected passing in 2016, a memorial fund was created in his name by the Jinright family for the restoration work.