Gresham, OR

Don't know what the Red Comet is?

The Red Comet was an early fire extinguisher that, like today's sprinkler systems, had a certain melting point and dropped what looked like an upside down, half full water balloon made of glass. Inside the bulb was a liquid that, upon impact with the floor, would extinguish the fire.

The Red Comet wasn't something that not every family had, or I believe, could afford when they first came out. This is a picture of one that was found during the remodel of Schiller Station.

The one seems to be the earliest version I have been able to find even online. The pictures I've been finding are wall mounted and work more like today's sprinkler systems. The systems that were out in the 50's had a melting point and upon reaching that heat would spray a liquid that would put the flames out versus the version we have here that drops and breaks the bulb sending glass and liquid everywhere. The new versions were definitely safer, but from a historical stand point this was a pretty cool find.

I talked to the company that is still around, although in name only, and they don't do things like this anymore. The company that originally manufactured these went out of business in 1985. The new company sells more traditional fire extinguishers. They are still located in Littleton, Co where they moved in 1933 after being in Denver where they had leased a building since 1919. The one that comes with the Schiller Station home seems to be one of the early versions from somewhere between 1919 and 1929.

I have found out that what they used to put out the fire in those early bulbs is considered to be toxic to humans now, so if you should have one and it breaks, get out of the house and let it air out. But this cool little item, plus one more, will be included in the sale of the Schiller Station home.

Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739

Well today, I may have finally been in a house that can. The history of this home is just amazing and I can't talk about it completely because I'm going to be taking the listing on it, hopefully, next week.

Here are just some of the things, that while being remodeled, that were found. Some letters were found in the wall addressed to the young woman of the house, from her boyfriend, who was off fighting in World War II. Some old magazines were found, and until it was remodeled, there was a coal furnace with a coal chute that landed next to the furnace from outside.

The electric that was in the house was still tubes, but was still standing strong, and I truly believe in 100 years it still will be, unlike the homes that are built today. The pride that was taken to remodel this home was amazing and even the person who took on this remodel said it wasn't about the money. It was about the pride and history of the home, and because of that, he will probably lose money, but he just didn't care.

He knows the family that buys this home that has to be someone special and can appreciate the history that comes with this home. The Christmas post cards, letters and even the old magazines are all going to be given to the new owners, so they can tell the history of this home when they have friends and family over.

The seller was able to find who he thinks was the young girl in the letters, but unfortunately she is in an old folk's home now, and is senile and doesn't remember anything, including the home or the letters. But, the care that was taken into bringing this home back to glory was amazing and, when I get the listing, I can't wait to write about it and promise to let those walls talk! They know that with their stories and the history behind this home, that there will be a lot more than one post. It will be fascinating looking into the history of the families that lived there and how it came to be.

Have you ever listed a home that you wish you could get the walls to talk?

Todd Clark - Broker / Sales Coach
Palazzo Realty
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739