7 wonders #47 and #48

by Bobby Blair

by Bobby Blair

1928 Maxim Fire Truck and House at Fiske and Central

The Town’s (now privately owned) 1928 Maxim Fire Truck is living the life of a horse put out to pasture.

The Maxim was the Fire Department's first motorized vehicle. Its service to the Fire Department lasted until the 1960’s, when it was transferred to the Town’s Civil Defense. Painted white, the Maxim was stored in Bert Gate’s garage at the corner of Washington and Concord Streets in East Holliston.

When it was put up for sale by the town, local resident Carl Damigella purchased the vehicle, which was falling into the category of being an antique. Damigella had the truck refurbished and returned to its historic color of red.

With other objects of interest, Damigella recently sold the vehicle to local fireman Jim Martin. With no place of his own to store the vehicle, Martin arranged to have the fire truck housed at the old Kampersal Dairy Barn in Braggville while he builds a garage at his Water Street home in Mudville. Martin plans to drive the Maxim in parades.

Once again another piece of Holliston history has stayed in town for residents to enjoy, thanks to the efforts of historic- and civic-minded Damigella and Martin.

The Maxim nomination was sent in by John Gagnon.

The house at the intersection of Fiske and Central Streets was sent in by Jan Dube. Dube had heard that the small Cape-like house built in 1790 was once used as a schoolhouse.

I checked with town historian Joanne Hulbert, but she could not confirm this use of the building.