The Lil’ Pirsch Fire Engine Has Come Back Home!

The Park Ridge Historical Society is excited about this project because not only do we have a brick and mortar history center, but now we have the opportunity to bring history rolling down the streets of Park Ridge!  To accomplish our goal, we need the help of every child, adult, and family in town. Everyone who donates any amount of money will have their name permanently added to the fundraising website.  In addition, those who donate will have their name added to the register book which will be permanently kept with the fire truck as it travels around town.  Children of all ages are especially encouraged to donate any amount of money to be a part of this exciting community-wide effort.

Our goal is to raise funds to have the fire truck fully restored.  Together, we know we can meet our goal!  We hope you will be a part of this historic event!

Suggested donation levels:

$ 1000 Fire Chief
$ 500 Battalion Chief
$ 250 Captain
$ 100 Lieutenant
$ 50 Driver/Engineer
$ 25 Firefighter/Paramedic
5¢  – $25 Firefighter in Training
Donations may be made online by clicking the “Donate Now” button at the bottom of this page, or by mailing a check to:

Fire Truck Campaign
Park Ridge Historical Society
721 North Prospect Ave.
Park Ridge, IL 60068

Fire Truck Summer of 2019
Fire Truck Summer of 2019

 Great news for all of us at the Park Ridge Historical Society and for the children and community members of Park Ridge!  After 8 long years we have successfully brought the 1934 Lil’ Pirsch Pumper back home to Park Ridge, Illinois.

Long-time residents of Park Ridge may remember first-hand seeing a 1934 Pirsch fire engine in parades and events in town.  Some may even remember that this vintage open-cab Pirsch pumper was in back-up service for the Park Ridge Fire Department up until 1959.

Drake Funeral Home, of Park Ridge, owned this truck as a parade vehicle.  When they closed their business in the early 1980’s, it was sold to a funeral home in Memphis and then was donated to the Memphis Fire Department.  It has resided in the Memphis Fire Department Headquarters ever since.

The Memphis Fire Department sold us the truck and it came home safely last week.  Ralph Bishop, retired Captain of the Park Ridge Fire Department, was able to locate original fire department documents from the 1930’s and 1960’s that referenced the 1934 Pirsch.  These specific documents provided proof, beyond a doubt, that the Pirsch originally belonged to Park Ridge as the serial numbers were a match.

Please join us in our excitement and “Fire Engine Fever” as we look forward to saving and restoring the Lil’ Pirsch.

Here is how you can help……Spread the exciting news about the Pirsch Pumper Project so we can share history and raise awareness around town.

Donations for the fire engine have already started to come in.  Please help us restore the truck by sending a Donation to the PRHS society by mail to:  721 N. Prospect Ave., Park Ridge, IL 60068 or donations can be made on-line the link in this article.

Join the “Fire Truck Fever” by making your donation today!

And don’t forget to spread the Fire Engine Fever!

Park Ridge Historical Society

Read more about our Lil’ Pirsch fire truck at this link: https://www.parkridgehistorycenter.org/fire-truck/