"Old Betsy"

Labelle’s volunteer firefighters named a 1953 Ford fire truck Old Betsy. It served from 1953 to 2006 and was housed in what is now the Firehouse Community Theatre. Fire Chief Jimmy Pendry purchased it for the City of LaBelle along with a sister truck for the City of Clewiston. Fire Chief Harold Curtis took it to nearby Alva to have a 1000-gallon water tank and hoses installed. Over the years, Old Betsy responded to many fires and saved acres of LaBelle property. In 1995, when the LaBelle High School Cowboys football team competed in the state playoffs, it appeared at several games. In 1999, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson rode on it in the annual Swamp Cabbage Festival parade. Its last appearance came in 2001, when it led LaBelle High School’s Home Court during the Homecoming parade.

LaBelle, Florida · United States