Antique fire truck returned

BURLINGTON - Nearly 100 years after it was first put in service, an antique fire engine is going home.

The present and former chief of the Galien Fire Department loaded a 1919 Chevrolet fire truck onto a flatbed truck Tuesday and drove away from the Burlington Fire Department.

Galien used the truck from 1919 to 1942, when it was sold to the village of Burlington for $250.

Galien is in Berrien County west of Buchanan on US-12.

The truck was used in Burlington for about six years before it was retired from regular use. It was kept and driven in parades and special occasions, according to Burlington Mayor Bob Weaver, who also serves as a captain on the Burlington Fire Department.

Retired Burlington firefighter Leo Hughes maintained and drove the engine after it was retired from service. Weaver said it still runs and can be driven, although its top speed is 28 mph.

Weaver said the village considered donating the truck to the Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners but members of the Galien department learned about the truck and approached Burlington to obtain it.

"They didn't think it was still around," Weaver said. "It was their first truck and they came to the village meeting and we felt going to the original department would be the best thing."

He said Burlington is donating the truck but can still use it for special events. Burlington has the first rights to the truck if Galien ever decides to dispose of it.

"We donated it with the condition that we can use it and we have the first rights to it," Weaver said. He said Galien will have a designation when the truck is restored noting that it was also used by the Burlington Fire Department.

Weaver said Galien plans to restore the truck in time for the 100th anniversary of its fire department.

Contact Trace Christenson at 269-966-0685 or tchrist@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on Twitter: @TSChristenson