This beautiful silver-plated octagonal speaking trumpet with a tassel was presented to Ross Valley Park Hose Co. No. 2 of San Anselmo by Mrs. William J. Raubinger on July 4, 1908. The hose company had the best decorated fire apparatus in the 4th of July parade, and Mrs. Raubinger, wife of a town trustee, donated the trumpet. At that time there was no paid fire department. There were about 70 volunteers divided into hose companies. Hose Co. No. 2 protected the downtown area.
The trumpet was manufactured by Cairns & Brothers of New York which had patented these octagonal trumpets in 1877. They were used when fire companies participated in parades or other events or were presented as awards. A plain trumpet would have been used at a fire to amplify the chief’s voice over the commotion of the fire scene to direct the efforts of the men in the company.