CHARITON, Iowa — The “On Location” series by Today in Iowa has returned for its second year, focusing this week on the town of Chariton, Iowa, and its iconic steam engine, “Old Betsy.”

Old Betsy, a Silsby steamer built in 1883, became a part of Chariton’s history after a fire destroyed the town’s firehouse and all its equipment. The engine was brought in to replace the lost firefighting tools and has since become a cherished historical artifact.

Old Betsy is no longer used for firefighting but remains operational and is a key feature in city parades and demonstrations. The steam engine is pulled by horses provided by Mike and Blaine Beaty, allowing the community to engage with this piece of history.

In its heyday, Old Betsy was not only used in Chariton but also taken to nearby towns to assist in firefighting efforts. This highlights the engine’s historical importance and the role it played in regional safety.

Today, Old Betsy serves as a symbol of Chariton’s resilience and history, continuing to captivate residents and visitors alike during local events and celebrations.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WHO 13 News. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WHO 13 News staff before being published.