By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–It is the culmination of a two-year odyssey that began when Henry County Historian David Webb found the 95-year-old 1927 American LaFrance Paris Fire Truck some 2,300 miles away.
The antique fire truck is back in Paris, beautifully restored, and was officially unveiled before a crowd at the Henry County Fairgrounds to coincide with the opening of the Fish Tent at the World’s Biggest Fish Fry.
Webb presented a plaque to the restoration team on behalf of the Paris-Henry County Historical Society, Henry County Mayor John Penn Ridgeway praised their work and Paris Mayor Carlton Gerrell presented them with a Tower of Excellence. Restoration has been done by Pipestone Restorations of Waverly, which donated much of the labor and materials to bring it back to life.
Webb, who also is president of the Historical Society, discovered the apparatus at the Tualatine Valley Fire & Rescue near Portland, Oregon. After learning of the pumper’s whereabouts, Webb wrote to the fire department’s chief and CEO, Michael Duyck, in 2018 to inquire if it was possible for the engine to return to Paris. The answer was yes and after much work and a trip to Oregon by Webb himself, the rest is history.
Ridgeway said, “This is going to be a showpiece for the community.”
The fire truck will be on display at the fairgrounds this week.
Photo: County Commissioners Greg Carter and Dell Carter look over the restored fire truck. (Shannon McFarlin photo).