What Is It?

The Reporter week of October 9 "What Is It?" answer: Galvanized Fire Extinguisher

Also called an Indian Fire Pump, because of a brand of extinguisher used at the time. Developed in the 1920s this 4-gallon capacity tank could easily be filled with water and carried by two people closer to a fire that may be deep in the woods or location that a fire truck couldn’t reach. These extinguishers proved invaluable weapons while fighting the Fire of 1947 here in York County and throughout the state.

Acton-Shapleigh Historical Society has 3 of these galvanized fire extinguishers and an extensive collection of the famous fire that started October 17, 1947 on display this month. 

Link to various vintage extinguishers:

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/antique-fire-extinguisher-metal-496311873

Links to Fire of ‘47

https://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/forest_protection/1947_fire.html

https://newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/maine-fires-1947-year-state-burned/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVP7Vp3dT5E

Thank you for reading "What Is It?" and visiting our site. This item and hundreds of other historic items can be found at Acton-Shapleigh Historical Society's main headquarters at 122 Emery Mills Road in Shapleigh, Maine. For visiting hours see our Hours of Operation page. If you would like to join, please visit our Become a Member page. We hope to make "What Is It?" a regular feature in The Reporter so please stay tuned.