Fire Hose Cart, Antelope, OR

this cart could have been horse drawn, but it is likely that it was pulled to the fire by the firefighters. Horses were generally not used until fire apparatus that was too heavy for men to pull, such as steam pumpers, were developed. Even then, there was great resistance to using horses instead of man-power. When motorized apparatus came around, there was great resistance to giving up the horses for gasoline power. Affinity to tradition is the bane of the American fire service.

"Affinity to tradition is the bane of the American fire service"

but not to photography, i presume?
ps -- thanks for the historical details -- looking at the tongue (sp?) i can see now that it may not be suited to horse drawn