Last Resort
When you visit our properties on Put-in-Bay, we want to wow you. We want you to say I have never seen that before and I’m going to tell all my friends. So we took a working fire truck and turned it into a working bar!
Last Resort Engine Company was founded in 2017. Our original truck was a 1980 American LaFrance Pumper truck. We removed the tanks and pumps, cut down the sides then built deck around it, complete with fire extinguisher bar stools, each topped with turnout gear from area fire departments. The bar top was diamond deck and the original ladders hung from the awning that covers the whole deck. From those ladders we hung used fire helmets, including one from the FDNY that was worn on 9/11. The truck quickly grew in popularity and we knew we had to expand it.
In November of 2020 we purchased the current truck, a 1988 Grumman Arial Cat with a 100ft. ladder. This truck was purchased new by the city of Piqua, Ohio and used for 32 years before it was retired from service. Once we got it to fabrication, we had to reinforce the ladder and bucket before we cut most of it away. The turret alone weighed over 6 tons. We were then able to modify the open space on the truck so the bartenders had a place to work.
In the fall of 2021, we removed the old American LaFrance to make way for the new Grumman. The truck was put into place and a new deck and awning was constructed around it. We rehung all the fire helmets that were given to us over the years. The Last Resort Ladder Company was open for business in May of 2022.
So the next time you’re on the island, be sure to belly up to one of Put-in-Bay’s most unique bars. You can sit in the jump seats and enjoy great drinks while people watching. We also have a variety of t-shirts and merch for sale. Just remember though, if you’re calling us, it’s already too late.
