Scenes from Monrovia Days

Old Seagrave fire engine, in need of restoration; Monrovia Reads bus; Boy Scouts, etc.

- Brad Haugaard

"Tommy," Monrovia's 1917 Seagrave fire engine, was purchased after the La Vista Grande hotel fire in 1916. Fire Chief George C. King asked the city leaders for a more effective fire apparatus. The city authorized the purchase of this 350-gallon, six-cylinder Seagrave motor-pumping continuous pumping hose and chemical truck for $5,000. In 2003 Monrovian Susan Motander tracked down the truck in Nevada and bought it for $4,000, then donated it to the Monrovia Fire Department. With citizen contributions, help from Coachcraft Auto Body, and from Brian Soash of Foothill Towing, "Tommy" will be restored to its original state.