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Save The Berwyn Mack! |
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More Photos |
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About the Mack |
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Links Page |
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Contributors |
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We need your help! We are currently looking for storage inside for the winter months. We are hoping for a donation of space rather then paying rent as our budget this coming year is minimal. Are you able to help? The Mack is about 45 feet long and 8 feet wide. Do you have the space to spare?
Let us know if you are willing to help! Email US! |
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In 1954, discussions began when looking to replace the old hook and ladder tender Berwyn had. Some felt that it was not necessary. But newly elected Chief Frank Kelly felt that the need was there in the growing village of Berwyn. Many a discussion were held and at the meeting at which it was to be voted, teh discussion became very heated. Just before it was to be voted on, Chief Kelly stood up and said, "If that ladder was to save just one life while we own it, it will be worth every penny".
The company passed the motion unanimously to buy the Mack ladder truck. |
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The Ladder, then known as "Number 3", was ordered and was completed at the Allentown Mack Truck factory on June 9th, 1955. It was delivered the following day to Berwyn. The picture, shown on the left, was taken behind the old Berwyn Elementary School (now the T/E School Admin Building) the day it was delivered. She was such a site to see. The Mack was the first aerial ladder truck Berwyn had owned. Before her, they owned a hook and ladder, which was a unit that only carried numerous ground ladders. This had a main ladder of 75 feet and was made of steel. It could rise high above most buildings in the area, inculding many of the barns in the Great Valley. |
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| One of the earliest known calls for the ladder was a barn fire (pictured right) in New Centerville section of Tredyffrin Township, where West Swedesford Road and Valley Forge Road intersect. Over 300 firefighters responded from fire companies all along the main line. This was one of many fires that the Mack would see. All the way through the fires towards the end of her active career including Fonzo's Restaurant on Lancaster Avenue and the Devereux house at Waterloo Road and Exeter Roads. She had many name changes through out the years. From number 3, she changed to Ladder 26 in the late 60's with the Main Line Fireboard. She was last named Ladder 2, when Berwyn joined the rest of the Main Line with Chester County Emergency Services and their consolidated dispatch center. |
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In late 1980's though, buildings were growing in the still new Chesterbrook Community and Corperate Center. A new hotel was being built that the Mack just could not reach the top of. It was decided that after over 30+ years of service, it was time to replace her.
In Early 1990 after the order of the new E-One tower ladder, the Ladder was sold to a collector in Michigan for a song. He came out to pick her up in June of that year when the weather was warmer. He drove her down Bridge Avenue for the last time, saddening many a member who once rode her to calls. Soon after her departure, The new Ladder 2 was delivered to Berwyn and the newly modified bay doors to fit it.
The old Mack was gone forever,... or was it? |
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The Return (the story continued) |
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