The city of Las Cruces would like to extend a deep feeling of gratitude to those responsible for the wonderful gift of a 1915 Model-T Ford fire engine that was placed on display outside City Hall Monday, Dec. 4 during today’s City Council meeting, the department said in a Facebook post. This is the earliest known motorized engine for the city of Las Cruces.
Thank you to Wes Melo from Roseburg, Oregon, who purchased the fire engine nearly 25 years ago, restored the vehicle to its near original state and returned it to its original city of use, Las Cruces. Wes purchased the engine from the Melendrez family of Las Cruces after reading an ad in the “Model T Ford Club of America” website in 1999 for its sale.
In the 1930s, this engine had outlived its use in the fire department, and was subsequently placed in a scrapyard. A volunteer firefighter with the city, Joe Melendrez, saved it from the scrap yard and brought it home for his family to enjoy for decades before it was sold to Mr. Melo. Melo explained he was a volunteer firefighter during most of his earlier years and served in six different fire departments, including five years as a Fire Chief.
As he approached 80 years old he said he felt it was time for him to find another good long-term home for his fire engines.
This vehicle will be housed at Fire Station 9 once the station is completed.
Thank you Wes and thank you Melendrez family who were all able to be present here in Las Cruces for this wonderful occasion.
