Construction rubble is heaped in the open space beyond the horses hitched to Salida’s new chemical and ladder truck about 1903. Unidentified firemen wear new dress uniforms, and harness on the team is complete with fancy decorations and feather plumes attached to the top of the bridles. When the town council outgrew its first offices, members bought Fraternity Hall at 140 E St. and moved the new fire equipment in downstairs and took the upstairs for city offices. By 1911, firemen were moved into the building at the right and city offices expanded onto both floors in Fraternity Hall. Both buildings are still used for city offices and fire department equipment. This truck is the only one that the fire department doesn’t still have.
John Ophus Collection.
