1950 Kenworth City Service Ladder Truck 
 (Apparatus #181)



End Of An Era 

On September 22, 1988, a 104 year-old era came to an end for the Seattle Fire Department
when the last city service ladder truck was sold.  Since 1884, the Seattle Fire Department has
had this type of apparatus on its rosters.  The first was an 1884 Babcock "village" ladder
truck originally hand-drawn, but later strengthened and arranged for horses when the paid
department was established in 1889.  The last was Apparatus 181, a 1950 Kenworth 55-foot
city service ladder truck.  It was delivered on July 14, 1950 and was placed in service with
members of Ladder Company 11 in West Seattle on August 15, 1950.  Of the seven Kenworth   city service ladder trucks of this design, we believe this to be the only one that remains in its original configuration.

 

 

                 

                Historical Photos . . .

                                                      App 181  (Ladder 11)  1960 

 

                                           App 181  (Ladder 11)  1960 

 

                

                                ~  Apparatus 181 Company Assignments  ~

                      1950 - 1966                                     Ladder 11 - 4321 SW Alaska St (Station 32)
                      1966 - 1967                                     Reserve
                      1967 - 1973                                     Ladder 5 - 1319 N Northgate Way (Station 31)
                      1973 - 1988                                     Reserve
                      1988 . . . .                                      Sold

                
    
                                       ~  The Stations  ~

                           

                                        SFD Fire Station #32 (1914-1967)
                                          App 181  (Ladder 11)  1950-1966

                                       

                                                     SFD Fire Station #31 (1954-1973)
                                                        App 181  (Ladder 5)  1967-1973
 

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