Button Engine Works, Waterford

In 1872, when this ad ran in the Troy Times, the Button Engine Works was one of the best-known manufacturers of fire engines in the country.

The works was founded by Lysander Button, a Connecticut native by way of Albany, who became a machinist in the Waterford shop of John Rogers, who made fire engines among other cast items. Button worked his way up to foreman of the shop and became a partner in 1833, and eventually became known as the L. Button Company, Button & Son, and the Button Engine Works. He came up with a number of innovations in hand pumps and, later, steam. (Ah, steam, is there nothing you can’t do?)

The Waterford Historical Society has a detailed booklet with the history of the Button Fire Engine Works, for all you fire engine fans.