Piece of town’s history up on auction block

RANDOLPH – A piece of Randolph’s history was on the auction block as the former Randolph Equipment & Repair building at 202 W. Broadway, and its contents were sold April 11.

The auction closed down Douglas Street as the building’s contents, including large equipment, were displayed for potential buyers. A number of people from out of town attended the auction.

The building dates back to 1911 when it began as Galvin Implement. It was also operated as an International Harvester Company dealership before Les Lorenz operated it as the equipment and repair shop.

The first equipment the fire department used was a two-wheeled hose cart housed in a wood frame building with a tower and bell located near the shop.

This hose cart was usually pulled to the scene of the fire by hand, or horse or mule.