Jameson had a new water system installed this summer and nine antique Mueller fire hydrants were retired after 51 years of faithful service. The hydrants were made in Chattanooga, Tenn., in 1965. All nine were bound for the scrap heap.
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Jameson’s Village Clerk Elaine Bohannon had seen vintage fire hydrants for sale on ebay and other online markets.
“When I realized the hydrants were just going to be scrapped, I thought it would be a good idea to sell them as a fundraiser for the village,” she said.
One of the nine hydrants was donated to the Jameson Fire Department and one was donated to the Jameson Museum. Four have already been sold.
“The buyers were all people who grew up in Jameson or had some attachment to Jameson and wanted something from their hometown,” Ms. Bohannon said.
The company that put in the new water system was to take the hydrants, according to a contract. But the company was glad to donate them back to the city.
Only they didn’t. The fire hydrants were accidentally loaded on the back of a company truck and hauled off. When called about the mistake, the company said the village could have them, but the company had started the next job and wouldn’t be able to bring them back.
Ms. Bohannon and her husband Steven had a trailer and a truck and so they drove to Moberly and picked up the hydrants off the back of the truck. They still had about six feet of pipe attached.
“We got them back and it’s been worth it,” she said. “There are only three left.”
If you’re interested in the hydrants, contact the village. You’ll have to pick them up. Shipping is not available.