Veteran Firemen's Association

Established in 1838, the Washington Independent Fire Company No. 7 was one of 10 early volunteer fire companies in Louisville, prior to the formation of the Louisville Fire Department. The Washington’s fleet consisted of two hand-pumpers and two hose carriages. The “Jefferson” was a four-wheel hose carriage built in 1840 by James Smith of New York. Its reel carried leather hose held together by copper rivets.

In 1850, the Mohawk Engine Company in New Albany, Indiana, purchased a hand-pumper built by the William Jeffers Company of Pawtucket, Rhode Island. In 1851, the fire company was disbanded. After New Albany established a paid fire department, the Mohawk eventually found its way to a junkyard in Jeffersonville, Indiana.

In 1895, the Veteran Firemen's Association was established to support and care for the former volunteer firemen of Louisville. The city granted the organization the use of the former Hope Fire Company No. 4 engine-house, which had been vacated with the formation of the paid Louisville Fire Department. In 1896, the Association found the Mohawk hand-pumper in Jeffersonville, IN. It was restored and renamed “The Veteran.” In 1897, the Association found the Jefferson hose carriage in Shelbyville, KY and had it restored. Both apparatus were displayed in their building and served as parade pieces. By 1921, there were not enough surviving members to hold a quorum and the Association was disbanded. However, both apparatus have been preserved. Today, the Jefferson hose carriage is on display at Louisville’s Fire History & Learning Center and the Veteran hand-pumper is part of the collection at the Vintage Fire Museum of Jeffersonville in Indiana.