Vintage Photo – Passenger Train Derails in Downtown Raleigh, 1961

Bought this one on eBay. Color slide of a train derailment in downtown Raleigh. Slide says April 1961. Don’t have additional details just yet. Hadn’t heard of such incident, in fact. (I’ve found notable ones in 1907, 1943, and 1979.) Will consult microfilm copies of the News & Observer and Raleigh Times at my next …

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Raleigh’s New Headquarters Almost Completed – February 1896

Imagine my surprise at receiving this newspaper excerpt last week, from the Asheville Citizen of all places. Issue date February 17, 1896. From a fellow fire historian. Previously on the History Show, we cited either “spring 1896” or “January-February 1896” as the timeframe for the opening of Raleigh’s original Headquarters Fire Station. Located at 112 …

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Retro Ambulance Unveiling, Wake County EMS – Thursday, Feb. 18

Wake County EMS is unveiling a “retro ambulance” this week, in a press conference at Station 1 downtown: Thursday, February 18 10:00 a.m. EMS Station 1 120 W. Davie St., Raleigh The new ambulance has “old school” colors and graphics, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Wake County EMS. The event will include remarks from …

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Atomic Fallout Affects Nation’s Photography Film, 1946

Have lately been learning more about America’s atomic history. Visited the National Atomic Testing Museum in Las Vegas last year (see those photos). Tooled around Los Alamos, White Sands, and other New Mexico historical sites in September (and those photos). Listened to the audio version of an engrossing Area 51 history over the holidays. (Good …

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Vintage Photo of Later Amcel Engine

Remember our posting about the Amcel Propulsion Company Fire Brigade in Buncombe County, from August 2014? We talked about their history which included a 1942 International/American LaFrance engine that originally served Scottdale, PA. This week, a reader shared a vintage photo of the Scottdale Fire Department, including the later Amcel engine. It’s a picture of …

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Dump Truck vs. House in Harnett County

Though I usually use Twitter for these, let’s blog about this one this morning. Dump truck versus house in Harnett County. Happened in the 4500 block of Highway 210, near Angier, near the schools. Car collided with truck which collided with building. Says this WTVD story, the structure suffered such heavy damage it will likely …

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Wilson County Firefighter Dies During Training

Bakertown Volunteer Fire Department volunteer firefighter James “Jim” R. Varnell, 53, died at the fire station on Webb Lake Road in Elm City on Tuesday. He was attending training and became ill as he was preparing to depart. His fellow firefighters quickly came to his aid and performed basic life-support measures. As additional resources arrived, …

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New Admin Offices for Garner Fire

The Garner Fire Department this week moved their administrative offices to 120 E. Main Street, a former police substation. It’s also a historic building. The one-story, 2100 square-foot structure was built in 1918. And renovated in 2006, say tax records. Car 1, Car 2, Car 3, and the administrative assistant were relocated to new office …

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Vintage News Article – Brevard Fire Department, 1950

Here’s another vintage news article, again via North Carolina Newspapers. Date line September 1, 1950. Brevard Fire Department as featured in The Echo, as digitized by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library. The two-page story includes a nice picture of their gorgeous 1945 American LaFrance 500 Series triple combination. They still have …

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