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.
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 the Lil’ Pirsch and restoring it.
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.
Click here to donate today! www.parkridgefiretruck.com
