Apparatus Chronology Stations Museum

For more information on Fire Hydrants go to:  http://www.firehydrant.org

Fire Hydrants

                                           

1884 (Patent date) Ludlow Valve Co.  Ludlow hydrants with this patent date cast on them were manufactured through 1912.  

In the February, 1938, National Board of Fire Underwriters report on the City of Reno, NV, the section discussing hydrants states it is estimated that 38% of Reno's hydrants at the time of the report were this type of hydrant.  

This hydrant was donated to the RFD Museum by Mike Russell and Pam Weiss from Panther Valley, Reno, NV  Two 2-1/2" outlets.  
Unidentified manufacturer and date.  This hydrant was the oldest hydrant in Reno when it was removed from the Berrum property at Moana Springs in the 1950s.

 

1895 (Patent date)  Rensselaer  Mfg. Co. - "The Corey".  List 90 model.

In the February, 1938, National Board of Fire Underwriters report on the City of Reno, NV, the section discussing hydrants states it is estimated that 55% of Reno's hydrants at the time of the report were this type of hydrant. 

This hydrant is located at Station 5 Drill Grounds and used only for training.  It is not connected to a water supply.

 
Feb. 14, 1928  (Patent date.)  Iowa Valve Co. Model 50-5.  These hydrants were installed in the housing areas of the Stead Army Air Force Base in the late 1940s.  The steamer cap (4-1/2') is painted yellow to distinguish them from other Reno hydrants because these hydrants were manufactured to a federal spec and did not have the same thread as other Reno hydrants or the NH Standard thread.  Firefighters were warned not to open the valve stem on these hydrants more than 12 turns or the valve stem would disconnect from the valve.  These hydrants were removed from the area during a reconstruction project in October 2008.
1951 Rensselaer Corey 91A.  Two 2-1/2" outlets.  RFD Museum collection.
1957 Rensselaer Corey 91B.  Two 2-1/2" outlets.  RFD Museum collection.
1957 Rensselaer Corey 91B.  One 4-1/2" and two 2-1/2" outlets.  Wagner collection.
This 1974 Mueller was located at the RFD Fallen Firefighter Memorial at Second St. and Evans Ave.  This hydrant is RFD hydrant #1. There is an interesting story regarding why this hydrant is chrome plated.  Reportedly when Chief Harry Van Meter began his efforts to get a new Central Fire Station built in the early 1970s, to replace the old Central built in 1899, some naysayer said he would never get it built. They made a bet.  Chief Van Meter was successful in getting the station built.  It opened in 1975 and the loser had this hydrant chrome plated to pay off the bet.

Note:  The RFD Fallen Firefighter Memorial has been dismantled and (as much as possible) placed in storage to make way for the City's new AAA baseball stadium.