Hand Drawn

Stockton Fire Department Hand Drawn Apparatus

(The term ‘engine’ is used here to name hand pumper apparatus mentioned in the following list)

1. The First Engine

Captain Weber, Supposedly Anticipating the needs of the city, purchased a hand pumper in 1850. It is first mentioned in a news article in August 1850, and was commonly known as the ‘Garden Engine.’ He offered it to the City of Stockton and they purchased it from Captain Weber in January 1851.  (Spencer Research, Haggin)

The engine remained housed in Captain WEBER’S barn for several months when a subscription list was circulated among the city merchants and $1,402 raised for the purpose of erecting a suitable abode for the machine. A small frame building was erected on the bridge then crossing Stockton slough, midway between El Dorado and Hunter streets. On May 6, 1851, during the absence of the Chief and other members of the company in San Francisco, whither they had gone to view the ruins left by a large fire a few days previous, flames again swept over Stockton. Property to the amount of $1,500,000 was destroyed. All the hose possessed by the company was burned and, through the inexperience of those who assumed control in the absence of the Chief, the engine was caught in the flames and badly damaged. It was subsequently repaired, painted blue and from that time was known as “the blue engine.” (History of te Stockton Fire Department 1850-1908)

The manufacturer, type, and model of the apparatus is not known. It was described in later years as a ‘New York Gallery Engine,’ and the ‘New York Red Engine.’  -see 1859 remark by C.O. Burton El Al.-  (Spencer Research, Haggin)

2. Button Engine - Purchased from Davis and Smith of Stockton

3. Hook & Ladder Truck - Purchased from Davis and Smith at the same time as the Button Engine as a package deal.

4. 1854? Smith Engine

5. 1854? Hunneman Engine

6. Jeffers Engine - Designated to the Eureka Co.

7. Jeffers Engine - Designated to the San Joaquin Co.

(The dates and list above was recovered from H. Spencer’s research; Haggin Museum)