Landscape paintings on fire engines were rare. There were many allegorical scenes set in a landscape. The land itself became a subject for artists in the second half of the 1800s. People moved to cities and wanted paintings of the land they left. Landscapes had become symbolic images of America's uniqueness and potential. By then many fire engines were steam powered. There was no large surface for a panel painting on the steamer's body. Some steamers had small oil paintings on the driver's seat or on the rear coal box. Most remaining steamers were recycled during World War II and few original paintings from the steam era survive. In the 20th century the Seagrave Co. continued the tradition, offering custom oil paintings on their hoods.