Empire Hook and Ladder Company #1 Firetruck

Historical image: 1911, Source: Upper Nyack Centennial gallery and [1]. Founded in 1863, the Empire Hook and Ladder Company #1 predates the Village of Upper Nyack. It began using horse-drawn firetrucks and acquired its 1st motorized firetruck in 1916 [2], making the horses obsolete. Historically, as (fire) equipment grew in size and power (this image depicts a 65-ft ladder), the need for pulling power increased. At first mules were used because they were more sure-footed on the dusty, unpaved roads. (But) horses were swifter and more easily trained and handled [3]. The Empire Hook and Ladder firehouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Present-day image: Circa 2020 (Copyright LFD171).