The Niles-Herald Spectator recently published an article (note: the video starts automatically with ads) highlighting the restoration and return of the very first hand pumper purchased by the Skokie Fire Department. This historic piece of firefighting equipment has a rich and fascinating story that reflects the evolution of emergency services in the area. SKOKIE — When the town’s first fire engine was built, Abraham Lincoln was still alive; when it was last used to put out a fire, the Chicago Cubs had just won a World Series. Back then, there was no Skokie—only Niles Centre, as evidenced by the gold lettering spelling out the town name on the small red pumper. The story of this pumper and its long journey back to Skokie is largely thanks to Skokie Fire Lieutenant Ron Smith, a passionate advocate for local history. About five years ago, Smith played a key role in reacquiring the Rumsey Pumper, the very first fire engine used by Niles Centre when it still had a volunteer fire crew. This pumper was used during the big fire of 1910, which destroyed half of the business district west of Lincoln Avenue. At the time, Niles Centre had to call on neighboring communities for help, making it clear that the old pumper wasn’t enough for a growing town. The Rumsey Pumper was in service from 1881 to around 1912 or 1913. In 1914, the town got its first motorized pump and sold the hand pumper to Mount Prospect for $60. Mount Prospect used it for a few years before it was displayed at the 1933 World’s Fair in an exhibit on the history of firefighting equipment. Later, it was rediscovered and returned to Mount Prospect, where some light restoration took place. However, over time, it fell into disrepair and was left untouched for many years. The Rumsey Pumper was originally built in Seneca Falls, New York, in 1865. It was purchased by Niles Centre in 1881 after a bucket brigade proved ineffective against larger fires. Operating the engine required ten men—five on each side—working together to pump 60 gallons of water per minute at peak performance. The pumper weighs about 700 pounds. There were two ways to use the engine. One method involved connecting to a cistern, which most homes had on their property. The fire station even had its own large cistern for this purpose. The other, more challenging method involved filling the pumper with water from tubs inside the engine itself. A photo at the Skokie Heritage Museum shows the original volunteer fire department of Niles Centre standing in front of the pumper. This restored pumper now serves as a powerful reminder of the past and the dedication of those who came before us. It's not just a piece of machinery—it's a symbol of community, resilience, and history. Thanks to efforts like those of Lt. Smith, stories like this continue to be told and preserved for future generations. XGA20,XGA20ACK,XGA20ACK Aerial Lift,XCMG XGA20，xcmg,18m,Hydraulic lift Electric Xuzhou Xuqi Heavy Machinery Co., Ltd. , https://www.xqheavy.com
Skokie (Niles Centre) FD history