Reading, MA – The Reading Fire Department proudly welcomes back a treasured piece of its firefighting history, “Fountain #3,” a historic hand-pumped fire engine originally built in 1836, has returned home after more than a century of changing owners. Earlier this month, a ceremony was held to recognize all who helped create a permanent home for Fountain 3 at Reading Fire Station 2.
Fountain #3 was constructed by the Increase S. Hill Company for the City of Salem, Massachusetts. Over the years, it served various communities, including Wakefield’s volunteer fire group and the Town of Reading, which purchased it in 1889 for $125. The pumper remained in service until 1913 when it was donated to the Holyoke Insurance Company of Salem for display. Eventually, it was gifted to the Boston Fire Museum, which has generously returned it to Reading.
Hand-pumped fire engines, like Fountain #3, required a team of firefighters to manually operate a set of “brakes” to create water pressure. They were labor-intensive but vital firefighting tools of their time. This historic artifact serves as a reminder of the dedication and perseverance of early firefighters.
