Steve Parmley's Hydrant Collection

Steve Parmley's Hydrant Collection

I'm a firefighter-paramedic for the Santa Cruz Fire Dept. in Santa Cruz, CA. I've been in the fire service since October of 2000 and a medic since 1985. I acquired my first hydrant in May of 2003 when the local water dept. changed out a hydrant in front of one of our stations and made it available to anyone who wanted it. I was instantly hooked. Within a few weeks I had discovered FireHydrant.org and acquired several more.

I plan on restoring some of my hydrants for display, and leaving others with their history intact. So far most of my hydrants are wet barrel, although I do have one "wet-riser" hydrant, plus a couple of dry barrels acquired through trades with other FireHydrant.org collectors. Besides my interest in firefighting and fire hydrants, I'm a drummer and play in a local band as well as composing my own music for personal enjoyment.

To contact Steve, Click here.

Click photos to enlarge

Rich Valve Co. Model 66

Identifying Characteristics: Wet riser type hydrant.

Appearance is reminiscent of the E.B.M.U.D. 64, the classic modern wet barrel hydrant.

An operating nut up top, however, means it is a warm climate hydrant with a dry barrel type mainvalve.

Also sold as the 665 Vanguard by Clow.



1995 Nozzles: 1x 2.5", 1x 4.5" Date: 1960s Origin: Salinas, CA © 2003 Steve Parmley		1995b Bonnet View


And the restored hydrant...
	Click Images to Enlarge

M. Greenberg Sons Model SFFD 74

Indentifying Characteristics:

The famous San Francisco "Horse Ball" hydrant. Ball atop hydrant was for tying horse drawn apparatus.



	0525sp Nozzles: 2x 3" Date: early 1900s © 2004 Steve Parmley

M. Greenberg Sons Model 74



	0126sp Nozzles: 2x 2.5" Date: none listed Origin: Salinas, CA © 2003 Steve Parmley

M. Greenberg Sons Model 86

Identifying characteristics: Wet riser hydrant from a wet barrel manufacturer.

"Pot belly" look: the belly contains the single mainvalve.

The 2.5" nozzles are angled torward the front of the hydrant.


		Click images to enlarge.
	2203 Nozzles: 2x 2.5", 1x 4" Date: 1958 Origin: Santa Clara County, CA © 2004 Steve Parmley


And the restored hydrant...
		Click images to enlarge.

Clow 850



Before...		After! Click to Enlarge	0372sp Nozzles: 1x 2.5" 1x 4.5" Date: 1997 Origin: SF East Bay, CA © 2003 Steve Parmley

American Darling MK 73



Before...		After! Click to Enlarge	2220 Nozzles: 2x 2.5" 1x 4.5" Date: 1976 Origin: Carmel Valley, CA © 2005 Steve Parmley

United Iron Works 643-1

3" Nozzle equipped with a reducer to 2.5"



		2234 Nozzles: 1x 3" (2.5" reducer) Date: late 1920s Origin: Oakland, CA © 2005 Steve Parmley

United Iron Works

Identifying characteristics: Bolt-on bonnet with square head bolts for access to the valve assembly. Nozzle and valve nut leaded in.



Before		After ! Click to Enlarge	0636sp Nozzles: 1x 2.5" Date: early 1900s Origin: SF East Bay, CA © 2004 Steve Parmley

Long Beach Iron Works - model 430



Before...		After! Click to Enlarge	0493sp Nozzles: 2 x 2.5", 1 x 4.5" Date: 1994 Origin: Santa Cruz, CA © 2003 Steve Parmley

Ludlow List 90



Before...		After! Click to Enlarge	1341sp Nozzles: 2 x 2.5", 1 x 4.5" Date: 1952? Origin: McArthur, OH © 2004 Steve Parmley

Shand and Jurs Model 101

Indentifying Characteristics:

Classic "Mushroom Head" hydrant.



	0509sp Nozzles: 2x 2.5" © 2004 Steve Parmley

James Jones J-3740

Indentifying Characteristics:

Solid Bronze



	0391sp Nozzles: 1x 2.5", 1x 4.5" Date: 2002 Origin: Oakland, CA © 2004 Steve Parmley

Iowa Valve Model 50

Indentifying Characteristics:

4 nut pockets


			Click to Enlarge
0184sp Nozzles: 1x 2.5", 1x 4.5" Date: none Origin: Fort Ord, CA © 2004 Steve Parmley

Bourbon Copper & Brass Works

Indentifying Characteristics:

Bizarre nozzle arrangement

Bolt on steamer port



	0078sp Nozzles: 1x 2.5", 1x 4.5" Date: none Origin: Cincinnati, OH © 2004 Steve Parmley

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