Seagrave Fire Apparatus LLC is the longest running fire apparatus manufacturer in America that specializes in pumper and rescue units, as well as aerial towers. Seagrave was founded in Detroit, Michigan, in 1881 by Fredric Seagrave and moved to Columbus, Ohio, in 1891. Seagrave was acquired by the FWD Cororation in 1963 and moved their corporate headquarters to Clintoville, WI.
Starting in 1951, on their 70th anniversary, and then continuing through 1969 Seagrave called their apparatus the Anniversary Series (had horizontal chrome grill strips). Pre-1951 models were considered as the Classic Series with Waterfall grills (vertical chrome strips).
Circa 1903: Engine Company 5 on Water Street had a Seagrave Hose Wagon with a Hart Water pump. It was transferred to Engine Company 6 on Martet Street in 1912.
In 1903 Engine Company One received a new Seagrave Hose Wagon (pictured below)
1903: Truck Company 2 received a 75 foot Seagrave Aerial with a Hose Tower attachment pictured below over the years. 1912 received Christie Front Drive Tractor and in 1917 a Commercial Truck Company Electric Drive tractor.
77 Prospect Street: horse drawn aerial
Christie Tractor at 115 Van Houten Street
February 7, 1953: PFD announces arrival of new pumpers
Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
March 1953: Six new Seagrave 750 GPM pumpers via a Federal Civil Defense Grant acquired and assigned to Engine Companies 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 10. They are shown below at Headquarters with Chief Strathearn and Mayor Titus. Riot roofs were installed in 1968.
Engine 2 77 Highland Street
Engine 2
photo by Joe Hloucek
photo by Joe Hloucek
Engine 6 operated at Market Street FH
Engine at 17th Avenue FH
Engine at (operated at 71 Wayne Avenue)
Front View of Engine 10
Post 1968 photo of Engine 8 with FF Hank Kettman
Unknown Seagrave Company
Seagrave of Engine Co 9 at Southside FH with Captain Rotella
Engine Company 8 Hancock Collection
Men of Engine 8 with Seagrave
Men of Engine 10 with Seagrave
Engine Company 11
Below is the specification sheet of Engine Company 8's pumper
June 30, 1969: Engine Company 1 and 5 received new Seagrave 1250 GPM pumpers (Serial #s R4476 and R4478 respectively) and Truck Company 2 a new Seagrave 100' Aerial (Serial # R4475). Engine Company 3 also received a new Seagrave pumper (Serial # RR4477). The apparatus are shown on the day they arrived at Lakeview Firehouse on Trenton Avenue.
1969 Seagraves - displayed at Lakeview Firehouse
Engine Company 1 1969 Seagrave 1250 GPM Pumper Serial R4476 (Hancock collection)
'69 Seagrave R4476 in action as E1 (Hancock Collection)
Engine 1 1969 Seagrave and Engine 11 1953 Seagrave in action
Engine Co 3 Serial R4477
Engine 3 at Riverside FH Serial R4477
Engine 3 Serial R4477
Engine 3 Serial R4477 at Riverside FH
Engine 9 1969 Seagrave R4477 at Southside FH June 1971 - January 1978
R4476
Engine Co 6 Serial R4476
Engine 8 R4476 In bay at Hillcrest FH
Engine 8 at Hillcrest - Vince Marchese photo
Engine Co 8 Serial R4476 at Hillcrest
Engine Co 8 Serial R4476 at Hillcrest
Engine Co 8 Serial R4476 at Hillcrest
Engine Co 8 Serial R4476 at Hillcrest
E8 69 Seagrave with Truck 2 1975 Pirsch
Engine 9 when it operated out of 77 Highland Street. The # is blue tape
Engine Co 9 Serial R4476 at Highland Street
Engine Co 9 Serial R4476 at Highland Street
Engine 10 at fire
August 8, 1969: A Seagrave tillered 100' aerial, Serial R4475 went into service at Truck Company 2 at 115 Van Houten Street. It was transferred to Truck Company 3 on June 28, 1975 at Riverside Firehouse. In 1983 it was painted white.
Truck 2 across from 115 Van Houten St -- Serial R4475
Truck 2 across from 115 Van Houten St -- Serial R4475
Truck 2 across from 115 Van Houten St -- Serial R4475
Truck 2 across in front of 115 Van Houten St -- Serial R4475
Truck 2 backing into bay at 115 Van Houten St -- Serial R4475
Truck Co 3 operated out of Riverside FH
Riverside Firehouse with Truck 3 Seagrave and Engine Co 1977 3 ALF