Wichita Falls Museum Restores 1947 Fire Truck

The Wichita Falls Fire & Police Museum has spent years acquiring and restoring vintage fire trucks to preserve local history.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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The Wichita Falls Fire & Police Museum has restored a 1947 fire truck, which they plan to display at local events like the upcoming soccer national championship parade. The museum has been operating since 1999 and has a large collection of vintage fire trucks that they've acquired from across Oklahoma, Texas, and even Indiana. The restoration of the 1947 truck took about two years, and the museum's goal is to preserve the history of the Wichita Falls fire department.

Why it matters

The restoration of the 1947 fire truck represents the museum's commitment to preserving the history and legacy of the Wichita Falls fire department. As the city has evolved, the museum's work ensures these important artifacts and symbols of the past are not lost, allowing the community to connect with its history.

The details

The 1947 fire truck was acquired by the museum from Midwestern State University (MSU). It took about two years to restore the truck, including servicing the transmission and engine and completing cosmetic work. The museum has a large collection of vintage fire trucks, including Mack models, that they've acquired from across the region over the past six years.

  • The museum has been operating since 1999.
  • The restoration of the 1947 fire truck took about two years.
  • The restored truck will be on display at the upcoming soccer national championship parade.

The players

Wichita Falls Fire & Police Museum

A local museum dedicated to preserving the history and legacy of the Wichita Falls fire and police departments.

Brad Corley

The president of the Wichita Falls Fire and Police Museum.

Midwestern State University (MSU)

The university that previously owned the 1947 fire truck that the museum acquired and restored.

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What they’re saying

“Any history through the police and fire, we were willing to get, and so we spent about six years just going all over Oklahoma and Texas and getting our trucks and having some brought back. We've even been to Indiana and brought back one of our trucks, and so we have a large collection of macks.”

— Brad Corley, President, Wichita Falls Fire and Police Museum (newschannel6now.com)

“It's a Midwestern truck, of course, it came from west of Wichita Falls, but it took about two years, pretty much, to get it back on the road. Once we got it back on the road, we take it to the football games, and we're up on the track up on top, and we'll blow the siren at the touchdown.”

— Brad Corley, President, Wichita Falls Fire and Police Museum (newschannel6now.com)

What’s next

The restored 1947 fire truck will be on display at the upcoming soccer national championship parade in Wichita Falls.

The takeaway

The Wichita Falls Fire & Police Museum's restoration of the 1947 fire truck demonstrates their commitment to preserving the history and legacy of the local fire department, ensuring these important artifacts are not lost as the city evolves over time.