Ellis Cross Country FD Ladies Auxiliary

08/26/2026

🚒 1951 Fire Engine Restoration Update! 🚒

The cab has officially been installed! The pump is on for now, but it will be removed again so we can finish the rest of the work.

We just wanted to give an update to everyone who wasn’t able to make it to our 75th Anniversary Celebration and show you that progress is being made on restoring our very first fire engine. ❤️

There’s still plenty of work ahead, but we’re getting closer to bringing this piece of Ellis Fire Department history back to life!

More updates to come! 🔥🚒

08/22/2026

08/22/2026

A Special Dedication ❤️🚒

Today, as we celebrate 75 years of Ellis Fire Department, we also had the honor of recognizing someone very special who was unable to be with us today.

Retired Ellis Fire Department Fire Chief John Lee Smith is our oldest living past Chief, and his story is truly a piece of Ellis Fire Department history.

John Lee was part of this department from the very beginning. As a child, he watched his father, Chief John C. Smith, help shape this department from 1951 until 1955. After his father passed, John Lee’s uncle, Chief Dewey Watkins, took over and served from 1955 until 1975.

In 1975, John Lee Smith took the reins as Chief and proudly served until his retirement in 1990.

That is 75 years of history, dedication, family, and service woven into one incredible story.

Today, we celebrate not only 75 years of Ellis Fire Department, but the men and women who helped build it into what it is today.

Thank you, Chief John Lee Smith, for your years of dedication and service to Ellis Fire Department and this community. ❤️🚒

What an amazing story—and what an incredible legacy.
75 Years Strong!

08/18/2026

In 75 years, so much has changed—the trucks, the station, and the way we serve. But one thing has remained the same: our dedication to this community will never change. 🚒❤️

75 years of service. 75 years of commitment. And a dedication that will last for generations.

08/16/2026

Did You Know? 🏁🔥

Did you know Ellis Cross Country Fire Department held midget car races in the 1950s as a fundraiser?

For our 75th Anniversary, we’ll have one of those midget cars on display! You’ll also have the chance to see racing logs from those races, along with pictures that help tell the story of those incredible events.

Ellis truly holds some of the greatest history, and we’re proud to share a piece of it with our community! ❤️🚒

08/14/2026

🪙 75th Anniversary Challenge Coins Are Here! 🪙

To celebrate 75 years of service, Ellis Cross Country Fire Department is proud to offer our limited-edition 75th Anniversary Challenge Coin!

These commemorative coins will be available:

🚒 At our 75th Anniversary Celebration
📅 August 22
🕐 1:00–4:00 PM
💲 $15 each

📦 Can’t make the event?
You can purchase one online and have it shipped for $20 (shipping included) via Cash App.

When sending payment through Cash App, please include:

* 🪙 Your name and mailing address
* 🪙 The coin emoji (🪙) in the notes so we know your payment is for a challenge coin.

❤️ Supporting History

Half of all challenge coin proceeds will go toward the restoration of our original 1951 Ford fire truck. Our Chief has generously been funding this restoration out of his own pocket, and this is one way we can help preserve this important piece of our department’s history.

🚒 Want to donate to the restoration only?

You can also make a donation through Cash App. Please include:

* 🚒 Your name and mailing address
* 🚒 The fire truck emoji (🚒) in the notes so we know your donation is designated for the truck restoration.

Thank you for helping us celebrate 75 years of Honor, Service, and Courage while preserving our department’s history for future generations! 🚒🪙

08/06/2026

Join us as we celebrate 75 years of service to our community!

For 75 years, we’ve shown up and answered the call. Whether it’s training, responding to emergencies, or participating in community events, our members have proudly dedicated their time and their lives to serving others.

Come celebrate this incredible milestone with us! We’ll have:
🚒 Fire trucks on display
🍔 FREE hamburgers and hot dogs
👨‍🚒 Firefighters on hand to show you our apparatus, answer questions, and share what we do

We’d love to see our community come together to celebrate 75 years of dedication, service, and tradition. We hope to see you there!

08/01/2026

1951 First Fire Engine Restoration Update

We’re making great progress on the restoration of Ellis Cross Country Fire Department’s very first fire engine!

The rebuilt 1951 Ford V8 engine has been installed back into the chassis and is now mated to the transmission. The chassis is really starting to come together, and it’s exciting to see this historic truck taking shape once again.

We also received the new seat upholstery, faithfully recreated to match the original style with black material and red piping—bringing another piece of the truck back to its 1951 appearance.

Every step brings us closer to seeing the department’s first fire engine back on the road. We can’t wait to share more progress as the restoration continues!

Stay tuned for more updates as we preserve this important piece of our department’s history

07/30/2026

The Ellis Fire Department’s very first siren, installed in 1951, will be on display during our 75th Anniversary Celebration on August 22 from 1:00–4:00 PM.

Although it was replaced in the 1990s, this historic siren still works! It will be plugged in and ready to make some noise during the event, giving everyone a chance to experience a piece of the department’s history firsthand.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to see—and hear—a true piece of Ellis Fire Department history!

05/05/2026

The vehicle's rims have undergone painting. Are you aware that the originality of the rims can be verified? A simple inspection will reveal the code '51', denoting the truck's year of manufacture. For individuals interested in contributing towards the expenses incurred by Chief Jeff, please do not hesitate to contact the page directly or reach out to Jeff Whitley. We extend our gratitude to those who have already donated in support of Chief.