Excerpts from Journal-topics.com:
For nearly 50 years, Ralph R. Bishop shared stories with members of the Park Ridge Historical Society about his childhood in Park Ridge. One of his favorite topics was the Lil’ Pirsch fire truck, a beloved piece of local history that first arrived in the city in 1921.
His father, Ralph E. Bishop, was the fire chief at the time the city purchased the pumper, which was built by Nash. The original chassis is now celebrating its 100th anniversary, but by 1932, the department decided it needed a major overhaul. The wheels were updated from wooden spokes to hard tires, and the water tank was doubled from 250 to 500 gallons. This renovation, done by Peter Pirsch & Sons of Kenosha, WI, gave the truck a new name — the Lil’ Pirsch — and an official age based on the 1932 parts.
Growing up in a family deeply involved in the fire department, Ralph and his brother Emmett learned how to maintain, drive, and even repair the truck. They also fixed Model T Fords, as service stations were rare back then.
Eventually, the Lil’ Pirsch was retired from active duty and sold to the Drake Funeral Home. It continued to appear in local parades, and Ralph often drove it when asked. Later, the truck was moved to Memphis, TN, where it ended up in the Memphis Fire Department’s museum after being bought by them.
Park Ridge Historical Society photo
The Park Ridge Historical Society wanted to bring the truck back home. For eight years, archivist Brian Lazzaro and Ralph worked tirelessly to prove that the truck in Memphis was indeed the same one from Park Ridge. Ralph provided documents, part numbers, and photos to support their case.
In the end, the Memphis Fire Department agreed to sell the truck to the historical society for $20,000. An estimated $5,000 to $10,000 will be needed for restoration before it can run again.
Lazzaro and his son drove down last year to retrieve the truck, bringing it back to Illinois on a flatbed. Their first stop was Des Plaines, where Ralph and his wife Ramona had recently moved. When they arrived, Ralph came out with a walker, wearing a mask and a big smile. The Lil’ Pirsch was adorned with a Park Ridge flag, marking a special gift for his 93rd birthday.
![Park Ridge FD restored 1932 Pirsch fire engine]()
The Bishops donated many items to the historical society, including a diary from the truck's first year in service. These artifacts help preserve the legacy of the Lil’ Pirsch.
During the summer of 2020, the pandemic caused restrictions that limited public events and access to the Park Ridge History Center. Despite these challenges, the society managed to raise around $10,000 online through donations from members, friends, and local businesses at www.parkridgefiretruck.com. Memorial donations are still welcome, and more support is needed. You can also mail donations to the Park Ridge Historical Society at 721 N. Prospect Ave., Park Ridge, IL 60068.
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