The Smokey Stovers

The Nappanee Fire Department is proudly known as the Nappanee Smokey Stovers. Smokey Stover was a cartoon character and cartoon strip created by Nappanee Native, Bill Holman. In May of 1962, Fire Chief Willard Naylor asked Bill Holman to use Smokey Stover. Bill wrote back and said that they could use Smokey Stover however you want. Each fire engine has a different design of Smokey Stover. Nappanee is the only one to use Smokey Stover as their mascot.