Look what we’ve pulled from the Webb City Historical Society archives – a family photo with one of our town’s first fire hydrants.

Pauline Jones contributed the photo to the society in 1976. She provided this information to go along with the photograph:

“This photograph was taken approximately in 1888.  The house is located on the northwest [northeast] corner of Second and Roane streets, or 525 W. Second St. This is one of the first fire hydrants installed. The house was built by my great grandfather, C. Coiner, the man with his hand in his vest.  Next to him on the left is Mrs. Minnie Schier Jones. Others in the picture are Mrs. John Schier, George L. Schier and Lon Schier.

“The man in the carriage was a professor at the Webb City College and was paralyzed in the legs. I believe his name is Coiner.”

The fire hydrant does look like it may have just been installed? Perhaps it was part of the reason for the family-and-friends-photograph. Evidently it was a big enough deal that it was remembered almost 100 years later by Pauline.