SLC fire engineto be displayedat Provo muse

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    By DREW LINGINFELTE

    Utah’s first steam-driven fire engine will visit Provo Monday at the Daughters of Utah Pioneers Museum to help celebrate Utah’s Centennial.

    The visit of the fire engine to the Pioneer Museum at 610 N. 500 West will be the center of the day’s activities that also include a pancake breakfast, a hot dog lunch and steam engine demonstrations.

    Both the old steam fire engine and Provo’s first fire engine, restored and maintained by Jack Hopkinson, will be on display.

    The 1902 American LaFrance “Metropolitan” horse-drawn steam engine was restored by the Daughters of Utah Pioneers in 1994 to be used in conjunction with the Centennial Celebration.

    The steamer, named Roosevelt, was originally housed at Station One in Salt Lake City and responded to fires from that location. Steam was used to drive the water pump on the three-horse driven cart.

    In 1972 the Daughters of Utah Pioneers built the Carriage House Museum in Salt Lake City. At that time they purchased the fire engine and provided a place for it in the basement showroom. The fire engine was lowered into place by a crane before the main floor was constructed, and it was displayed there until it was removed for further restoration in Bountiful.

    When it returns to the museum, it will be housed on the main level so it can be taken out and demonstrated at events around the state.

    This year it will tour several cities, including Provo.

    The pancake breakfast begins at 8 a.m. at a cost of $2.50 per person or $10 for a family.

    At 10:30 a.m. the steam engine and a Provo City fire engine will arrive at the museum and begin demonstrations.

    Hot dogs will be sold for $1 beginning at 11:30 a.m.

    Any profits from the event will be used to refurbish the Pioneer Museum

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