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Hose Cart Races
August 24, 2023 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Join the Race!
Put on your running shoes, put together a team, and get ready to run with the best! The Museums of Western Colorado is recreating one of the hottest events of the 1890s – the great hose cart races! During Market on Main and the Rhythm & Brews, join us and try your hand (or rather your feet!) to see if you can beat the Grand Junction Fire Department’s historical, champion record!
This event is sponsored in part by Chadwick, Steinkirchner & Davis.
Teams of 2-4, all members must be 13+.
MWC Hose Cart Races
Put on your running shoes, put together a team, and get ready to run with the best! The Museums of Western Colorado is recreating one of the hottest events of the 1890s - the great hose cart races! During Market on Main and the Rhythm & Brews, join us and try your hand (or rather your feet!) to see if you can beat the Grand Junction Fire Department's historical, champion record!
Grand Junction, CO 81501
United States
History Behind the Race:
When responding to a fire, volunteers grabbed the tongue, pulled the cart to the blaze, and connected the 300 feet of hose to the nearest fire hydrant. The speed of the hose cart team was a source of pride for each of western Colorado’s communities. Competitions were held, usually on holidays, to find out which team was fastest.
In 1895, Grand Junction Hose Cart Number One placed first in every race it entered and even held state and world records.
Wood hose carts were eventually phased out by more durable, longer lasting, all metal carts. By 1912, however, the Grand Junction Fire Department was exclusively buying combustion engines and the bulky hose carts and horse teams were either sold or retired.
Today, the Museum of the West houses two hose carts. These carts inspired the replicas that will be used by this year’s race participants! Do you think you’ve got what it takes to beat the record?