Larry Wayne Jeffers showed photos of the restoration work which is being done to Buffalo’s first fire truck.

Buffalo history was the focus of the quarterly meeting of the Upper Vandalia Historical Society held this past Sunday, April 26 at the town’s Historic Square. The meeting began in the Historical Square Community Church, where Larry Wayne Jeffers discussed the ongoing efforts to restore Buffalo’s first fire truck. The 1939 Chevy, which was used from the 1950’s to the 1970’s by the Buffalo Fire Department, is currently in Jeffers’ workshop in Ohio. He has been working on the vehicle for the last three years, ordering replacement parts from all over the country, sandblasting away years of grime and repainting, and making a few practical additions like a new step to assist people in boarding the truck and a bench for passengers to ride. He hopes that the truck will be ready in time for this year’s Buffalo Fourth of July parade.

Jeffers’ father, Alby, drove the fire truck for many years, and it was used to transport his body to Buffalo Memorial Park after he passed away. Sue McKeever recounted the story of her father’s funeral, and how people lined the roads on Cross Creek and saluted as the procession went by. The fire truck stalled after crossing over the railroad tracks, and had to be pulled up the hill to the cemetery by another truck. She related that her father had always said he was the only one who kept the fire truck running.

McKeever also discussed the history of the Historical Square Community Church, which was built in 1856 and was formerly the town’s Presbyterian church. The church was originally built with the intention that men and women would sit on opposite sides of the building, and the divided pews which were built for this purpose are still used today, although now anyone can sit where they wish. The church also had a balcony where slaves could watch the services. At one time, a tower which housed a 400-pound bell sat atop the roof, but the tower has since been torn down, and the bell currently resides within the sanctuary.

After McKeever concluded her discussion of the church’s history, Mark Harris, president of the Friends of Buffalo WV History group, led visitors to the Buffalo Welcome Center. He discussed the history of the building, which once housed the Buffalo Bank. The building was recently renovated after extensive water damage due to various leaks, and was opened to the public during a special Founders’ Day Celebration held earlier this month. The Welcome Center features historical displays, photographs, and artifacts; a photo directory of Buffalo veterans; a Hall of Fame for notable Buffalonians; and the town’s first piano, which was owned by Caroline Frazier and her family.

After concluding the tour of the Welcome Center, Harris led visitors to the Buffalo United Methodist Church next door. He discussed the history of the church, which was founded in 1833 and was the first congregation in Buffalo. The original church building was made out of logs and located in the nearby bottom, but it kept flooding. A new building was later constructed in the same location of the current church, but it was burnt down by Union troops during the Civil War. The church was rebuilt in 1870, and added onto over the years. Harris, who is the current pastor, briefly discussed the history of Methodists in this region.

After the tour of the Buffalo Historic Square was over, visitors went back to the Historical Square Community Church for refreshments. The event had a very good turnout, with forty-three people in attendance. In addition to the regular members of the Upper Vandalia Historical Society, the St. Albans Historical Society and Friends of Buffalo WV History groups were also represented.

The Upper Vandalia Historical Society meets four times a year to discuss Putnam County and local history. Anyone who has an interest in local history and trivia is invited to attend meetings. If you have Facebook, you can also become a member of the “Upper Vandalia Historical Society (Putnam County, WV)” group by going to https://www.facebook.com/groups/431246375713984