KAWARTHA LAKES-In the 1960s, the Fenelon Falls bought a 1935 Chevrolet fire truck to serve as a backup pumper. A salesman had taken the vehicle to Coboconk, hoping to sell it to that community (which did not have a truck at the time), but Fred Brandon personally purchased it and then persuaded Fenelon Falls council to invest in it, so they could have a second pumper, which would allow them to send their first-line vehicle to help other communities when a mutual aid call came in. Fenelon Falls’ longest serving firefighter, John Bailey, remarks, “It makes for a good story that they bought it after I started.”
The 1935 fire truck served as Fenelon Falls’ backup pumper until 1973, when the village acquired a new pumper. It helped to extinguish infernos as village landmarks like the Old Grist Mill (Rosedale Furniture/Botany Spinners) and Inn on the Cliff (Alpine Inn/Hotel Kawartha) went up in smoke. After it was retired, it was acquired by the Fenelon Falls Firefighters Association. For many years, Fenelon Falls’ antique fire truck was a familiar sight in local parades and at community events.
Driving a 1935 fire truck can be a memorable experience. In that era, vehicles had standard transmissions and power steering was not common until the 1960s. It takes a lot more muscle to turn around a corner. “You can’t turn the steering wheel with your pinky,” John explains. The vehicle has now gotten to the point where it needs to be restored to continue serving the community in parades and at special events. “The last time I had it in the parade, I almost didn’t get it back to the hall because the clutch was slipping so badly. That is kind of what you expect with a vehicle that is that old.”
Restoring a vehicle of that age can be a real challenge. Fortunately, Fenelon Falls’ Memory Lane Motors specializes in giving new life to old vehicles, dating back to owner Andy Bellwood’s father, Roger. “It was important to us to have someone who understands a motor of that age, and how to make it run right,” John says. “Up until now it has been owned and maintained by volunteers, but the time has come to make sure it is fixed properly, and to make it more driver friendly.”
To be able to make Fenelon Falls’ 1935 fire truck part of community events once again, the association is working to raise $80,000. To support the initiative, the Royal Canadian Legion is hosting a dance with the Barn Katz on May 24 at 8 pm. Tickets cost $25 and are available in advance at the Legion: 705 887 3041.
Donations to support the restoration of the fire truck can also be made at: [email protected]
This story is part of our partnership with Maryboro Lodge, The Fenelon Falls Museum and was written by Glenn Walker.
If you want to make a donation to the museum, you can e-transfer to: [email protected] or mail a cheque to :
Maryboro Lodge Museum
Box 179
50 Oak Street
Fenelon Falls, ON
K0M 1N0
