I want to extend my most cordial welcome to you as we gather here to dedicate the fire museum, another important step in the development and progress of the City of Kings Mountain, a community which is meeting the need for communities in which people can live in dignity without the waste and discomfort of hours of commuting to large cities and the need for new community institutions to manage them and keep them healthy.

The greatest development of all: the development of the talents and skills of our fellow Americans - providing training in high skills for millions whose careers are stalled, the potentials inadequately used to fit them to perform satisfying, rewarding work that the development of America will require.

What is presently lacking, but will surely come, is a resurgence of the high hopes, the sanguine spirit, the heart and drive that carried people from the Atlantic seaboard over the mountains, across great rivers and plains - the inspired enterprise of hundreds of thousands of private individuals that gave birth to a great country.

It was really simple and effective planning - really just decisions to take certain action, which, in the judgment of good and wise men, would turn to the nation's advantage.

Planning that is real, that leads directly into action, will take place in communities all over the country, in cities, towns, counties and even regions - but it must be responsive to the needs of the private citizens of the community - who know those needs best.

To be content as a nation with what we've got, to treat low expectations as virtues - flies in the face of the individual's needs and ambitions for himself. It is not in the nature of private men and women to discount their future.

Before we review the events and methods by which this museum was built, I would like to review with you a bit of the history of the City of Kings Mountain.

The Town of Kings Mountain was chartered February 11, 1874, and the organization meeting was held February 24.

The commissioners named in that charter have many relatives and descendants living among us today: Dr. J.W. Tracy, W.A. Mauney, F. Dilling, D.C. Beam and W.F. Falls.

The first cotton mill was established in 1888, and the oldest national bank in Cleveland County was the First National Bank of Kings Mountain which began in January 1900.

Therefore, fellow citizens, you can see that Kings Mountain has had a long history of forward-looking and dedicated people who have given wholeheartedly of their times and talents for their community, just as many of our founding fathers did on both the community and national level, and as our citizens do today.

Stories based on reports from older members of the fire department inform us that the City owned a 1924 truck that served as the hose carrier, and that a building was located behind the present City Hall.

It was generally a community amusement to watch the truck on its way to fires because it usually required pushing to the scene of the fire: however, as the City of Kings Mountain continued its growth, the Kings Mountain Fire Department was organized in April 1931 with a rating of 9AAA, and on April 6 of that year, the Board of Commissioners authorized purchase of a 600 gallon La-France truck, engine and hose from the La-France company of Elmira, New York.

Mr. P.D. Fulton was employed as Driver on May 18, 1931 at $80.00 per month, 24-hours duty, 7 days per week.

The first fire call was answered by the new fire department on May 3 (1931) at the home of Mr. Wid Morris.

The Fire Department budget for 1931-1932 was $7,710 with pay for volunteers authorized on July 20, 1931.

In August 1931 the Board of Commissioners authorized the first fire department building - a house in which to keep the new fire truck

On February 1, 1932, the Board authorized hiring of the second fireman, and on June 6, 1932 adopted a resolution of commendation for excellent service and the success of the Fire Department which was due in no small part to the officers of the Department.

There have been so many outstanding men in the Fire Department that we cannot possibly mention them all, but we would like to remind you of some of them.

The men who have served as Chief are as follows:
1931-1954 Grady King
1954-1963 Pat Tignor
1963-1973 Floyd Thornburg
1973-Present Gene Tignor (*note - Gene Tignor retired in 1989 and Frank Burns became the 5th Chief of the Department, and still serves as Chief today)
 

The first Fire Department was composed of: Mr. Grant, Claude Hambright, Percy Dilling, Charles Dilling, Carl Davidson, Lawrence Lovell, Miles Wilson, Grady King, P.D. Fulton, Mr. Clary, Runt Wingate, J.P. Tignor, Otis Falls, J.D. Hord, Tom Fulton.

Just as the fire building of the Fire Department was planned to hold a fire truck, so the idea for this museum was conceived to hold a fire truck.

The Fire Department had a 1938 truck that was being retired from service but needed to be retained for emergencies, and it needed to be protected from the elements.

At first, the firemen considered using the old railroad depot. Upon finding that building inappropriate, they considered constructing a building on city-owned property at this location using their own time and talents - and that is just what they did!

Aided by donation of the land by the city as authorized by the Board of Commissioners, donations from businesses and private citizens, and last but of prime importance, the boundless ideas, energies and time of the member of the Ladies' Auxiliary who spent so much time and effort sponsoring events such as bake sales, rummage sales, bazaars and anything else that would make money for the Fire Museum. Even the Junior Firemen got in on the act by selling hot dogs and lemonade at the Moss Lake.

The building is paid for, and there will be a note burning ceremony to celebrate.

This museum is to be open every weekend, and other times by appointment for any interested group.

You will find on display here the 1931 and 1938 fire trucks which have been completely restored. Incidentally, the 1931 fire truck has 19 coats of paint and the 1938 has 10 coats of paint.

In addition, there are also here the following: the first piece of fire fighting equipment the city ever owned - a fire cart and hose which was pulled along to fires

The helmets, badges and other memoirs of former firemen

The first fire extinguisher on wheels - 1903 model - used here in 1925

The first resuscitation equipment, which was located on the 1938 truck

The first pontoon ladder, a 35 foot extension ladder that came with the 1931 truck

The 1938 truck can still be used in emergencies but the 1931 truck is for display only.

The old house that was built for the first fire truck will be moved onto this lot behind the museum.

Although the building is paid for, the equipment - especially the 1931 truck - is not, and the firemen, both regular and volunteers, have pledged $10 per month from their salaries to pay off the debt.

From that small beginning in 1931, the fire department has gradually increased until today. We have a full time chief, 6 paid firemen, 20 volunteers, and 12 members of the Junior Firemen, and they are still exhibiting the same dedication and service to the community that earned them that first commendation.

As to equipment, we have a 1,000 gallon pumper, a 750 gallon pumper and a 400 gallon pumper. All trucks are equipped with standard nozzles, hoses, etc., including a high-fog nozzle.

The rating of the Fire Department has increased from 9AAA in 1931 to 6 today, 3 full grades.

Instrumental in the improved rating has been the improvement of our water system capacity which is currently 6 million gallons, expanding to 10 million gallons this year.

Storage capacity increased from 500,000 to 3,800,000 gallons with impoundment of approximately 14 million gallons reserve storage.

This increased water capacity will be of great value to the Fire Department, especially if we have any fires of the magnitude of some in the past which included:

The big downtown fire - Southern Bell Telephone Company, and another large building. The Kings Mountain High School, the Slater Mill which was over $1 million, the old Phenix Mill at $3 million and the Herndon Company warehouse.