The "Eagle" - Bedford's Hand Pumper

*The Eagle in front of the fire station covered with bunting during Bedford’s 1912 Old Home Week Celebration Image (c) The Bedford Historical Society*

Submitted by the Bedford Historical Society

In 1827, the town appointed a committee to look into buying firefighting equipment and procuring a firehouse. After reviewing the committee’s report, the town voted $225 towards the purchase of the “Eagle,” the town’s first fire engine.

Basically a pump and washtub on wheels. it was meant to be pulled by hand to the site of a blaze and pumped by members of the fire brigade. When not in use, it was kept at the firehouse on School Way. After years of disuse, it was lovingly restored by Ben Snyer and now occupies the stage in the Town Hall auditorium.

The Eagle in a photograph believed to have been taken in 1928 to celebrate the engine’s 100th anniversary

The Eagle in 2012, in front of Bedford’s fire house

These photos are brought to you courtesy of the Bedford Historical Society. The Society was founded in 1893 and exists today to preserve Bedford’s history. Learn more about the Society at its web page, www.bedfordmahistory.org or on its Facebook page. Visit the Historical Society in its archives in the Bedford Police Station. Contact the Society by email at [email protected] or call 781-275-7276 for hours or directions.