19th Centry Engine Travels To New Home

February 22, 2008  

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer 

It’s not often you get to see a true piece of history rolling down the street, right in front of your eyes.

However, that was the case Thursday morning in Uptown Greenwood as a steam engine built in 1870 was paraded up Main Street via horse and buggy from The Museum to its new home, the City of Greenwood Fire Department.

Engine No. 1 was built in 1870 by a company out of New Hampshire. It was originally the property of Charleston Fire Department, but was sold to Greenwood in 1907. For many years, the “steamer” has been displayed in the basement of The Museum. However, with major remodeling going on at that facility, curator Matt Edwards said it was time to let it go.

Fire Marshal Robby Stevenson rides on the back of Engine No. 1, a steam engine built in 1870. The engine was moved Thursday from The Museum to the Greenwood Fire Department. (Staff photo by Chris Trainor)

“I think it’s kind of a happy and sad occasion,” Edwards said. “This piece has been a tremendous part of The Museum’s collection for close to 30 years now, and it certainly has become a hallmark piece. In that respect I hate to see it go. But it opens up a tremendous amount of real estate with The Museum for new exhibits.”

GFD Fire Marshal Robby Stevenson discussed the antique steamer as he waited for horses to come from Connie Maxwell to pull the engine to the fire department.

“They needed this out (of the museum basement) in order to make room for renovations,” Stevenson said. “It was a coal-fire steam engine and it would pump water.

“A lot of pieces are original. But we will shine it up and get it looking good. The plan is to display it in the station.”

Stevenson said he is looking forward to showing it off to area school children.

“A lot of the kids have seen our current trucks and what we have now,” Stevenson said. “They haven’t seen this.”

The marshal said officials from Charleston have contacted Greenwood in the last two years, looking to reacquire the steamer. He said selling it back is not an option.

One facet of the steam engine that has been updated is the wagon-style wheels. They were remodeled in 1957 for a centennial celebration.

Edwards talked briefly about upcoming museum plans.

“As we move into the development of our new exhibits, the downstairs will continue to be a Greenwood-specific floor,” Edwards said. “The main floor will be a broad regional history; the upper floor will focus on natural history.”