by Tammy Johnson
tjohnson@cherryroad.com
A piece of McPherson fire service history has a second chance at life. The McPherson Fire Department has acquired a 1949 Seagrave fire truck that originally served the city beginning in 1949. Thanks to investigative work, a bit of luck, and the dedication of Fire Chief Chad Mayberry and his team, this rare piece of firefighting equipment has returned home, awaiting restoration.
The story of its rediscovery began when Forest “Fuzzy” Durey reached out to Mayberry. Durey was assisting a widow in Manchester, Iowa, in settling her late husband’s estate, including preparing for an auction. He came across an old fire truck and decided to do some research. Durey found that there are seven McPhersons in the United States but concluded that only one is a city and suspected the truck belonged to McPherson, Kansas. When he contacted Mayberry, the fire chief and his team started piecing together its origins.
With the help of the McPherson Public Library, they were able to confirm that the City of McPherson purchased a Seagrave fire truck in July 1949. Further proof came when Durey found a service sticker inside the driver’s door from Rupp Tire Service, 104 S. Ash St, McPherson, KS. This cemented their belief in the truck’s connection to the city.
Beyond its local significance, the truck holds unique historical value. Mayberry explained that the Seagrave was manufactured toward the end of the open cab fire truck era. The truck also features an extra-long bed equipped with ground ladders instead of an aerial ladder, making it a distinctive quad model. The truck’s condition is quite good, likely due to long-term protected storage, suggesting that restoration may be easier than the 1928 LaFrance.
The truck has no specifically known historical significance, but Mayberry’s research uncovered that its retirement coincided with a pivotal moment in McPherson’s fire service history. Around the same time the truck was replaced, nine department members resigned at once in 1975, marking a substantial shift for the department.
The truck served McPherson Fire for 26 years. Mayberry noted that keeping fire trucks in service for 20 to 30 years was standard practice, especially for specialized apparatus like ladders and quads.
Restoration efforts will begin with an assessment of the truck’s GM V12 engine. The department will contact local experts with experience working on similar engines to assist in the restoration. Whether minor repairs or a complete overhaul will be necessary remains unknown, but the engine’s condition will dictate much of the project’s timeline.
One of the most common questions Mayberry encounters is how the department funds these restoration projects. All funds for projects like this are privately donated. No city funds were used in the LaFrance restoration, nor will they be used in this one. Mayberry noted as well that no city funds were used for the Seagrave’s purchase or transportation. Instead, the department acquired the truck for $2,000 using leftover funds from the LaFrance restoration budget, with approval from a major donor.
Currently, the truck is stored in a Morton building behind Fire Station #2. Once restored, the plan is to display it at Station #2 in the main apparatus bay while the LaFrance is housed in the display room.
The department will begin funding the restoration through the sale of challenge coins featuring the 1928 LaFrance truck. A fresh batch has been ordered and will be available for purchase soon.
Bringing the truck back to McPherson was a collaborative effort. Mayberry, Captain Josh Hedlund, and community members Louie Bate and a friend of his embarked on the journey to Manchester on April 28, leaving at 4:30 a.m. They arrived around 1 p.m., spent two hours loading the truck, and returned home by noon on April 29.
Updates on the progress of the restoration will be posted to the McPherson Fire Department’s Facebook page.
All photos provided by McPherson Fire Department
