This once fine piece of craftsmanship has the capability of being restored to its original state, when it was a fire engine for Mandan back in the '20s. The Mandan Historical Society is looking into the possibility of bringing the vehicle back home and fixing it. Submitted photo

By Brian L. Gray

The Mandan Historical Society Board of Directors voted at its Sept. 24 monthly meeting to look into the feasibility and gauge the public’s interest in restoring a former Mandan fire engine.

The vehicle was recently found in a junkyard near Fontana, Calif., and is thought to be a fire engine used by the Mandan Fire Department in the 1920s. The side of the vehicle displays the faded lettering of the words “Mandan Fire Department,” and has been in the junkyard for more than 40 years now.

The fire engine is a Twin City truck, which were made by the Minneapolis Steel and Machinery Company from about 1908 to the mid-’20s. This company also produced the Corliss steam engine, which served as a power unit for many flour mills in the Dakotas. In 1908 MSM produced a tractor under the Twin City name. By World War I, MSM was one of the larger tractor producers in the nation. In 1929, the company merged with Moline to become the Minneapolis-Moline Company.

Historical society board member Bryen Birkholz is spearheading the effort, by working with local trucking companies to see if any are willing to assist with returning the fire engine to the city and begin the restoration process. He is also contacting local businesses to assist with the idea of restoration and storage.

David Kroll will be contacting the salvage yard about the possibility of obtaining it. He will also serve as the contact for any residents interested in assisting with the project or willing to help offer financial donations. Kroll can be contacted at 663-4831 in the evenings or via email at fire-engine@mandanhistory.org.

The topic will be revisited during the next historical society board of directors meeting, taking place at 7 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Beanery Conference Room, located at W. Main Street, which at this time is expected to go to a vote.