FireHydrant.org Logo

The evolution of
Stockton Fire Hydrants
(Part 1)

Photos and Text by Willis Lamm
Stockton, CA, incorporated in 1850, is one of only five cities that can boast a city-wide overall ISO Class-1 fire protection rating. This is a daunting feat considering all that goes on in this city.

CITY OVERVIEW

Stockton is the business center of California's San Joaquin Valley, one of the richest agricultural regions in the world. The city process and distributes agricultural products and has a great deal of industry geared to agriculture including bulk storage and transportation of agrochemicals. It is a major rail center and has an active deep water port on the San Joaquin River which has the capacity to service 70% of the world's maritime fleet.

The city is home to a population of 248,000 citizens and two universities; the University of the Pacific and California State University Stanislaus. It hosts the San Francisco 49ers training camp. It has a commercial airport, is the county seat and is the site of the county fairgrounds. Stockton was awarded "All America City" in 1999. The fire department consists of 229 uniformed personnel and 29 civilians working out of 12 fire stations. Municipal water supply is provided by California Water Service. Fire hydrants are maintained by the fire department from two designated hydrant repair/maintenance vehicles. The fire department protects the City as well as contracts to provide coverage for some small adjacent districts and unincorporated "islands" that exist within the city limits.


FIRE HYDRANTS

At the turn of the century Stockton established a design standard for all fire hydrants. They were to be dry barrel type with two 4 inch outlets. The first hydrants of this type were Rensselaer List 90s.

Rensselaer List 90
Photo of twin steamer hydrant
Around 1910 Stockton Iron Works started producing hydrants for the city. The earlier hydrants were single valve design with two 4" outlets.
Stockton Iron Works
Photo of "Pot Belly" hydrant
In the 1920s the Fire Department tried a 3-valve design. Stockton Iron Works provided the first 3-valve hydrants which had two 4" outlets which were set on 8" taps and risers.

Stockton Iron Works 3 valve
photo of gate valve hydrant
In the 1930s Rensselaer was again awarded contracts for fire hydrants and provided their 3-valve double 4" version of their List-90 hydrant.
Rensselaer 3 valve
photo of gate valve hydrant

Continue to Part 2


Jump to Part 3


Back to Hydrant Pictures