VIDEO: A 115-year-old fire engine has been on display downtown since 2006, but today it returned to its rightful owner, the Utica Fire Department. It was the very first fire engine the city ever purchased back in 1906 and It took 3 horses to move the engine. It was sold for scrap in 1938, but was never dismantled.
Since then, it's been on display in the office of Utica National Insurance Group. The Group recently decided to donate the engine to the Utica Fire Department. On Saturday members of the department were there to help transport the engine to its new home.
"This was a fire apparatus that was purchased by the city of Utica in 1906. And it was in service until the department was motorized in 1917. So it's a huge part of our department history," said Deputy Fire Chief John Kelly.
The engine was taken by truck to the Utica Fire Academy on Bleecker Street. Officials with the city hope to get the engine moving again when the next parade takes place in Utica.