The Fort Collins Museum's Diamond T Fire Truck

The Diamond T Fire Truck was a mainstay of the Fort Collins municipal fire department from 1937 to 1963. When the department's original ladder truck was damaged in a collision in 1937, City Council approved the $1,234.85 necessary to purchase a Diamond T chassis from the Mountain Motor Company. Without delay, the firefighters sprang into action. They repaired and remodeled the body from the wrecked truck and installed in on the new Diamond T chassis. As shiny as a newly minted coin, bearing 287 feet of ladder and 237 different tools, the Diamond T, Truck No. 3, found its home in the Walnut Street Fire Station.

The Diamond T reached the end of its fire-fighting days in the 1960s when newer equipment pushed aside the old. It was sold to Lake County in 1963. In 1981, after years of languishing in the elements, the deteriorated Diamond T was sold to a private individual, who then sold it to the Fort Collins Museum for $685.

In 1996, the Diamond T was designated a Local Landmark and the long restoration project began. Local citizens, businesses and the Colorado Historical Society State Historical Fund contributed to the effort to breathe new life into the Diamond T and restore it to its 1952 appearance.

The restoration process was completed over the course of a year. The truck was completely taken apart, rewired, repaired rebuilt and rechromed piece by piece. Although much of the original vehicle was preserved, its dilapidated condition required the use of some parts salvaged from other Diamond Ts. The tires and upholstery are reproductions.

Today, the Diamond T can be seen and heard whining down the streets of Fort Collins during parades and special events, including the Museum's Skookum Day every second Saturday of July. Our history tells us who we are, and preserving it sharpens our understanding and sense of direction. Preserving the Diamond T, saving it from near extinction helps us staying touch with a century of fire-fighting lore, and the small town ingenuity which found ways to adapt the Diamond T to ever-changing needs.

The Fort Collins Museum will continue to care of the Diamond T and all the other objects within its trust, preserving them for posterity.

The restoration project was partially funded by a State Historical Fund grant awarded from the Colorado Historical Society. Special thanks also to Choice City Towing, Loren Maxey and Maxey Companies, Inc., Ed Yonker (Guest Curator), Jim Mirowski (Poudre Fire Authority Lead Mechanic), Poudre Fire Authority, and the Poudre Valley Region Antique Auto Club.

Back to Top

Museum

Physical Address: 200 Mathews Street, Library Park, Fort Collins, CO 80524
Mailing Address: 200 Mathews Street, Fort Collins, CO 80524
Phone: (970)221-6738
Fax: (970)416-2236