Holly

Holly Mfg. Co. - Lockport, NY

Holly Manufacturing Company was the namesake business of inventor Birdsill Holly (1820-1893). Birdsill Holly was was awarded many patents, including U.S. patent #94749 for a fire hydrant. A similar hydrant was manufactured by Union Iron Works, perhaps under license. (see Union Iron Works). For information about Lockport, NY, and inventor Birdsill Holly, visit: www.lockportcave.com.

first model

This short, pot-bellied hydrant was the first model Holly Mfg. produced.

Three variations have been discovered involving the number of bolts holding on the bonnet; examples have can be found with 2, 4 or 8 bolts. It is not known at this point if this difference is due to vintage or something else. This difference is noted with each hydrant shown below.



U.S. Patent #94749 Inventor: Birdsill Holly, Lockport, NY Issue Date: Sept. 14, 1869	2162 (4-bolt top) Nozzles: 1x 2½" Size: ~4" V.O. Note: missing bonnet Location: Ohio	2163 (8-bolt top) Nozzles: 1x 2½" Size: ~4" V.O. Note: missing bonnet (See another view) Location: Ohio	2294 (2-bolt top) Nozzles: 1x 4" Size: ~4" V.O. Note: missing bonnet Location: Keith T. collection Photo: K. Thomas



0092 (4-bolt top) Nozzles: 2x 2½" Size: ~4" VO, 4.5" ID (See bonnet view) Location: Jeff K. collection Photo: J. Kaminski	1724 (4-bolt top) Nozzles: 1x 2½", 1x 4½" Size: ~4" V.O. Note: missing bonnet Location: Steve P. collection Photo: © 2001, J. Kaminski

next model?

We believe these hydrants to represent the next model produced.



0500 Nozzles: 2x 2½" Size: ? Location: Private collection Photo: © J. Kaminski	0322 Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 4½" Size: ? Location: ? Photo: © 2000, R. Porterfield

final model?

These hydrants are very similar to the previous model, differing only in the bonnet design.



0435 Nozzles: 3x 2½" internally gated Location: ? Photo: © T. Ingalsbe	0323 Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 4½" Location: ? Photo: © 2000, R. Porterfield

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