Courtesy of Jim Perkins, whose sharp eye caught the date error on our photograph of the 1902 Joplin Fire Department, are three photographs from the Joplin Fire Department’s past. Below are photographs of some of the first motorized fire fighting apparatuses in the nation. Specifically, is a photo of the Joplin Goat and two of the Webb Engine. All three were the creations of Al Webb, who had a mechanics shop not far from the Joplin Fire Department headquarters (city hall – which these are parked in front of). The arrival of these machines helped usher in a new age of firefighting and literally set out to pasture the fire horses they replaced.
The Joplin Goat, courtesy of Jim Perkins.
The Webb Engine, courtesy of Jim Perkins.
The Webb Engine, courtesy of Jim Perkins.
Source: The Jim Perkins Collection
