PR+ committee recommends 'Big John' fire engine move to study session as local landmark

Chris Geddes, the city's historic preservation specialist, presented a nomination to designate the 'Big John' fire engine as Aurora's next local landmark and asked the PR+ committee to recommend the nomination move to study session and then to full city council. Geddes said the Historic Preservation Commission had reviewed the nomination in October and unanimously approved forwarding it.

Mike Ackman, a retired Aurora firefighter and member of the Historic Preservation Commission, described the apparatus: "It was a seventieth anniversary edition when it was purchased in 1955" and it "still has the original engine in it from 1955." Presenters said the truck served as an active engine into the 1970s, was transferred to reserves, and later sold to the International Association of Firefighters Local 1290, which provided owner consent for the nomination. The vehicle is still used in parades, holiday events and firefighter graduations.

Council members responded with support. Council member Hancock said, "I've seen Big John. It's pretty cool," and Council member Horton seconded the praise, calling it "a beautiful piece of our history." The chair summarized committee sentiment: "It sounds like unanimously we approve moving forward to study session." There was no roll-call vote recorded in the transcript; presenters and staff will take the nomination on to study session and then to full council for a final vote.

Next steps: staff will place the nomination on study session agendas and, eventually, a full council meeting where the council may vote to designate 'Big John' as local landmark number 36. The committee did not record a formal roll-call tally in the meeting transcript.