Lake Toxaway Fire Truck History | Grand Olde Station

From Army Surplus to Lake Toxaway: The Story of the Grand Olde Station Fire Truck

Some pieces of history are preserved in photographs and written records. Others are sitting right in front of us.

At Grand Olde Station, one of our favorite pieces of Lake Toxaway history is the restored vintage fire truck displayed outside the restaurant. Long before it became a landmark for guests to photograph and explore, this truck played a role in the development of the modern Lake Toxaway community.

And its journey back home is almost as interesting as its original story.

Building a Community

When Lake Toxaway was being redeveloped in the 1960s, the growing community needed its own fire protection.

According to Grand Olde Station owner John Nichols, his grandfather purchased two Army surplus fire trucks during this period because a fire department was needed to meet housing insurance requirements for the developing community.

With the trucks in place, the Lake Toxaway Volunteer Fire Department was formed.

These weren't shiny new fire engines purchased from a dealership. They were rugged surplus vehicles that had previously been built for military use. Repurposed for their next chapter, the trucks became part of the infrastructure that helped support Lake Toxaway as homes were built and the community grew.

For local families who were here during that era, the trucks became a familiar sight.

John doesn't personally remember seeing the fire trucks in service, but longtime local resident Dan Johnson remembers seeing them as a child while spending time with his grandfather, a small connection between generations that helps keep the story alive.

A Phone Call From Jason Cash

Decades passed, and the old fire trucks largely disappeared from everyday life.

Then John received an unexpected phone call.

Local sawmill owner Jason Cash told John that he had something very historic that he thought John would want to see. John was immediately intrigued.

He had no idea the discovery would turn out to be one of Lake Toxaway's original fire trucks.

Finding the old truck created an opportunity to bring an important piece of local history back into the community and preserve it for future generations.

Bringing the Fire Truck Back to Life

Once the truck was recovered, John hired Johnny Holbrook to take on its restoration.

Johnny completed the extensive bodywork and beautifully restored the exterior, bringing back the character and appearance of the historic fire engine after decades of age and wear.

Today, visitors can see the results of that work firsthand at Grand Olde Station.

But the restoration story isn't quite finished.

The truck currently does not run, and John continues to search for someone who can help determine the best way to make it operational again. One possibility is restoring the existing mechanical components. Another may eventually involve finding a suitable truck chassis and placing the historic fire body onto it.

The goal is ultimately the same: preserve as much of this piece of Lake Toxaway history as possible, and hopefully see the old fire truck moving under its own power once again.

More Than a Fire Truck

What makes this story special isn't simply that an old fire engine survived.

It's the people connected to it.

A grandfather helping establish fire protection for a developing mountain community.

Local volunteers stepping forward to create a fire department.

Children growing up seeing the trucks around Lake Toxaway. Decades later, a local sawmill owner recognizing that something sitting in his possession mattered enough to preserve.

A craftsman putting countless hours into restoring it. And another generation making sure its story isn't forgotten. That's how local history survives.

Preserving Lake Toxaway History at Grand Olde Station

Grand Olde Station sits in a place deeply connected to Lake Toxaway's past. From the railroad and the historic Toxaway Inn to the rebuilding of the lake and the generations of people who have called this community home, there are countless stories worth preserving.

The old fire truck represents a more recent chapter, the rebirth and development of Lake Toxaway during the 1960s and the people who worked together to build the community we know today.

The next time you visit Grand Olde Station, take a few minutes to see the fire truck up close.

It isn't simply an old vehicle sitting outside a restaurant.

It's a piece of Lake Toxaway history that found its way home.

Come for the food. Stay for the story.