Ashland Business Helps Bring Historic Norwalk Fire Engine Home
NORWALK — An Ashland business played a key role in helping return a major piece of Norwalk firefighting history back home.
Aber’s Towing & Crane Service, based in Ashland, was selected to help transport Norwalk’s historic 1912 fire engine as part of its long-awaited return to the Norwalk fire station Tuesday.
According to a report by the Norwalk Reflector, the fire engine arrived at the station at about 2 p.m., marking a major milestone for those working to preserve the city’s firefighting past.
The historic truck has been described by supporters as Norwalk’s first motorized fire engine and once considered among the most powerful fire engines in the world. The 216-horsepower engine represents a time when fire departments were transitioning away from horse-drawn equipment and into the motorized era.
City Councilman Steve Gfell, who is helping lead the restoration effort, rode with Aber’s Towing as the engine was brought from its prior location in Kent to Norwalk Concrete on Commerce Drive. From there, the truck was taken on a short processional route to the fire station on Main Street.
Residents lined the sidewalks near the fire station to welcome the engine home. Fire department members, city employees and members of the restoration committee gathered for photos as the engine was rolled into the garage.
The return was especially meaningful because the fire engine once served from the same fire station where it now sits.
The effort began after Gfell discovered the truck still existed while following up on a Facebook Marketplace search for vintage tire pressure gauges. That search led him to Greg Gfell, no relation, whose family had ties to the Milan area and had owned the historic fire engine for more than 50 years.
After learning the truck was available for historical purposes, Steve Gfell and others helped form the Norwalk 1912 Fire Truck Restoration Committee with the Firelands Historical Society. The goal is to purchase, restore and preserve the engine as an important part of Norwalk’s firefighting heritage.
The truck currently does not run and was transported by trailer. Now that it is back in Norwalk, the restoration committee is turning its attention to the next phase of the project.
The estimated cost to restore the engine is about $225,000. The work is expected to include inspection, mechanical repair, body work, storage planning, fundraising and eventually public display.
For Ashland’s Aber’s Towing & Crane Service, the trip was more than just another transport job. It was a chance to be part of a historic homecoming and help return a rare piece of Ohio fire service history to the community where it once served.
The engine will remain at the Norwalk fire station as restoration efforts continue.
Those with questions or those interested in sponsoring the project are encouraged to contact committee members Steve Gfell, Nancy Gfell, Norwalk Fire Chief Dan Strayer or Stewart Downey.
Donations may be made by check payable to Firelands Historical Society, in care of 1912 Fire Truck, P.O. Box 43, Norwalk, OH 44857.
Any excess funds raised for the project will go toward the historical society’s expansion project.
