On This Date in Minnesota History: February 8

February 8, 1909 – The first fire engine on the Minnesota Iron Range arrived in Virginia, Minn., today, from the LaFrance Fire Engine Co. of Elmira, N.Y.  It materially increases the enviable lead held by Virginia in the matter of fire department equipment.

The new engine is named the “Elmquist” in honor of Chairman Elmquist of the committee on fire and fire department; a handsome nameplate embellishes the engine. Another plate on the other side of the engine contains the names of the mayor, Fire Chief Thayer and members of the council.

The new No. 1 steam engine was bought under a guarantee of 900 gallons per minute, and will be given an official test after the arrival of the Eastman deluge set ordered two weeks ago.


Virginia Enterprise; “The ‘Elmquist’ Arrives.”; February 9, 1909; p. 1.

1909 American-LaFrance Type 5 number 1. 

Photo courtesy Tim Kane, Lenox, Mass., Fire Department.

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