The current exhibit “From Harnesses to Hoses – the Story of the Leicher Family” tells the story of Luverne’s first manufacturing business, The Luverne Automobile Company. Built and developed by F.A. and Ed Leicher, the company transitioned from the buggy business to automobiles before becoming a premiere manufacturer of custom-built first trucks.

On loan from Richard and Clarice Herman of Luverne is the “RUN-ABOUT”. One of the first type of vehicles the company manufactured, it set the precedent for utility and dependability.

Their luxury vehicle, the BIG BROWN LUVERNE, was known throughout the Midwest as a “smart and dependable buy”. The company manufactured approximately 750 cars from 1903 until 1916 when they switched to trucks and then fire trucks. In early 1953 the brothers received an order from a dude ranch owner in Arizona who wanted to order another “Big Brown” as “my old one had finally broken down”. He was 37 years late with his order.

F.A. and Ed learned how to adapt when Henry Ford introduced the assembly line. As engineers, designers and builders, they began to produce specialized motorized equipment, particularly fire trucks. LUVERNE FIRE APPARATUS was born. The company prided itself on serving every need and figuring out a solution for every problem.

Fire trucks were manufactured in Luverne through the 1970’s when the company was sold and moved to Brandon, SD where it is still in business today. The third generation of the family started manufacturing ambulances and emergency response vehicles in Rock Rapids. In 1985 great-grandson Terry Leicher opened Lifeline Emergency Vehicles in Sumner, IA where it continues to offer specialized and elite emergency vehicles today.