Restoration of the American La France Firetruck Lake Elsinore Engine #1

Built by the American LaFrance Fire Engine Co., the truck was purchased in 1925 and provided decades of service for the Elsinore Fire Department until it was retired in the mid-1960’s. When the Historical Society decided to restore it in 1999, it had been gathering dust for 20+ years. Its tires were flat and cracked, it wasn’t running, it had ugly red plastic seat coverings. Restoration took a group of about eight volunteers three years, plus donations from many local businesses, for a total cost of roughly $20,000.  Historical Society members believe LaFrance made only a limited number of this type of engine, and there are only a few left in existence.