Worthington's First Fire Engine

This 1917 Model T. Ford Truck was the first gasoline powered fire engine in Worthington. It is pictured here on display in October 1953 in front of Snouffer Motor Sales near the intersection of High Street and New England Avenue. The Ford Motor Company introduced the Model TT truck chassis in 1917. The chassis of Model T Fords could be purchased to build special use vehicles such as fire engines. According to the Westerville Public Opinion (September 1, 1921), this truck was purchased in 1921. Built by the Prospect Manufacturing Company, it was equipped with "a powerful motor driven pump capable of throwing two streams of water 150 feet; two large chemical tanks with 100 feet of hose attached; 500 feet of water hose; hooks; ladders, buckets, small extinguishers and room for a crew of six men."