1928 Pirsch Chemical Truck (“Ralph”)

 When Bertha Norton’s home burned in 1925, there was no fire department in Spring Grove.  Fox Lake and McHenry responded to extinguish the fire.  Residents of Spring Grove, led by Byron “Barney” Orvis began raising funds and started a volunteer fire department.  Three years later they purchased a new 1928 Peter Pirsch chemical fire engine, built on a Chevrolet chassis.  Residents said, “It was the finest piece of firefighting equipment in the County”.  The original cost was $2,500.00.

 The chemical truck did not have a pump, but rather functioned much like a gigantic soda ash fire extinguisher.  Acid, mixed with an alkaline water, would generate carbon dioxide (CO2), creating pressure within the tank that would be used to pressurize the hose.  Once the water was expelled, the truck would need to be refilled and the process repeated.  By today’s standards it was inefficient; similar fire extinguishers are no longer in use.

 In 1947, the Burton-Richmond Fire Protection District (the predecessor to the Spring Grove FPD) had raised sufficient funds to build a fire station.  Located at 1924 Main St. (now Mike’s Auto Repair), the station housed several pieces of fire apparatus, including the 1925 truck, that had been housed at the Blacksmith’s shop and at Paul Weber’s Garage.  They purchased a new engine and sold the 1928 to Shirley Dawson who converted it to a hot dog wagon.  Shirley travelled about the area, serving tourists hot dogs and snacks while they visited the Chain O’Lakes area. 

 The abandoned vehicle was discovered in a field at the Kattner farm in the 1980’s.  Members of the District restored it to as original a piece as possible, completing the work and dedicating it to Craig Frost (former firefighter) in 1991.  Mort Crowley donated labor to remanufacture the wooden dash and flooring.  The engine was replaced with a rebuilt model of the original.  The wheels were sanded and polished (the spokes are original).  Today, the vehicle has been used in parades, for wedding and prom pictures, and to carry the caskets of some members who have passed on.  When members were asked what to name the vehicle, the overwhelming response was, “Ralph”.  And so it is...

Ralph, after being discovered in farm field

Department members volunteered their time for the restoration