| Empire Hook and Ladder Fire Co. No. 1 Montgomery County Station 69C Pottstown Pennsylvania "The original boyz in the hood" |
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| Empire Hook and Ladder Fire Co. No. 1 76 North Franklin Street Pottstown Pennsylvania 19464 (610)-326-2212 EMERGENCY'S DIAL 911 EMAIL WEBMASTER |
The new engine house of this company was appropriately dedicated June 12th
1880, after a series of regular and special meetings at which much interest was
manifested by members. Arrangements for grand parade was made and took
place previous to the dedication ceremonies. The town was alive with people.
On the morning trains, firemen came from neighboring towns and were escorted
from the depot by a committee of which Wm. M. Antrim was chairman to their
respective headquarters. After one o’clock, while the fire companies were
forming for parade, a heavy rainfall began and continued one hour without
intermission. The procession was formed on West High street. Dr. John Todd
was chief Marshall. His assistants were Dr. James B. Weiler, Clayton B. kulp,
George B. Lessing, R. M. Root, Gen. W. M. Mintzer.
The procession passed over the principal streets of town and notwithstanding
the rain, which again began falling soon after the parade started, the sidewalks
were lined with thousands of people. Many houses and business places were
handsomely decorated with flags. Everybody seemed happy and the day was a
joyous one. In the line of procession were Good Will S. f. E. Co., the Empire
Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1, and the Philadelphia S. F. E. Co., No 1, of
Pottstown; the Norris and Fairmount of Norristown; Keystone H. & L., and a
delegation of Hampden Fire Co., of Reading; keystone S. f. E. Co., of
Boyertown; delegation of the Phoenix H. & L. Co., of Phoenixville. Each company
was preceded by a band. A novel feature of this parade or procession was the
old hand engine ”Pilot,” which was drawn by a number of men wearing white
shirts.
The parade was dismissed at the new engine house, corner Chestnut and Penn
streets. The apparatus of this company was housed by the Empire H. & L.
Company. The dedication ceremonies took place after the parade on a platform
built next to the engine house, and where now the old annex stands. They
commenced with music by the Citizens’ Cornet Band, after which prayer was
offered by rev. D. K. Kepner of the Lutheran Church. He was followed by A. M.
Scheffey, secretary of the company, who delivered a historical address of the
company. The orator of the day, J. wright Apple, Esq., was then introduced. He
delivered an interesting and eloquent address. After more music, John W.
Bickel, Esq., of Norristown, spoke of the early history of fire matters in Pottstown
and noted the commendable progress since made by the fire companies. Both
addresses were listened to with marked attention and were very well received.
The dedication ceremonies then closed.
On the evening of the same day, the annual fair of the company commenced in
the new engine house and was continued for two weeks. It was very successful.
The engine, now know as the old engine, being in service from June, 1871, up
to July 3rd, 1884, at that time was by action of the meeting of the company held
July 3rd, 1884, it was decided to have the engine repaired, nickel plated, etc.
The committee in charge was: M. S. Longaker, W. H. Antrim, Daniel Weidner, J.
H. Mauger and V. R. M. Missimer.
From January 3rd, 1871, up to May 15th, 1885, a pair of black horses was
purchased by a committee of which John H. Mauger was chairman, said horses
having been purchased of Abraham Fronheiser. From that time on up to the
securing of auto apparatus, the engine had to been drawn by horses belonging
to the company.
On May 15th, 1885, it was decided to build a stable for the stabling of three
horses on the vacant lot or piece of ground on the east side of the engine
house. The Building Committee on stable was: M. S. Longaker, John H. Mauger,
James B. Schotter, V. R. M. Missimer. At this time an express wagon and
sprinkler was also purchased.
On December 6th, 1888, it was decided to purchase a horse hose carriage and,
accordingly, a Silsby Horse Hose Carriage was purchased and delivered on
January 31st, 1889. At a special meeting held the same evening, President
Todd being in the chair, the carriage was accepted. At the same time, the
carriage horse harness was delivered. The carriage outfit was complete from the
time of the institution of the company on January 3rd, 1871. Up to January 31st,
1889, the carriage was run by members. Since that time, by horse, showing that
by the purchases of three horses and harness and improvement on fire matters
are concerned, in a position to do proficient and efficient fire service.
The financial condition of the company at the time of its institution, was such that
there was no money. For at least seven years after, the organization of the
company there was no financial assistance of the part of the Town Council. After
that time, the Town Council appropriated $50 per year for several years. The
appropriation was increased to $250 per year for several years and then again
increased to $500.00 per year for several years and then upon petition of a
majority of the votable taxables, property owners and residents of the town,
directed to the Town Council praying to increase the appropriations to $1000.00
per year. The prayers of the petitioners were granted.
The real estate and personal property of which the company is absolute owner,
is worth from $17,500 to $20,000, and was principally raised by individual efforts
of the members by holding fairs, balls and entertainment’s of various kinds in
which the company met with exceedingly good luck and returns financially for
which the members of the company and the company itself hold a grateful
feeling toward our citizens, always believing in the motto of our company __ ”We
labor For The profit of Our Citizens.”
The company has responded to every alarm of fire from the time of our
institution up to the present time, January 3rd, 1896, which indeed, speaks in
the highest of the organization.
Time has its effects upon our company as well as all others, in the advancement
of improvement, as will be shown. Twenty-five years ago, we paraded and wore
the red flannel shirt with the old style hats and belts. Today, the company wears
equipment consisting of blue overcoat, regulation style, firemen’s helmet, patent
leather belts, fatigue caps and red shirt, and for appearance, stand second to
none.
Some four or five years ago, the Town Council, upon the petition of a majority of
the taxable inhabitants of our town, purchased a third class improved Rotary
Engine for the use of our company, which has taken the place of the one
purchased by the company twenty-five years ago. The new engine is considered
on of the finest in the country and verify that declaration, at the last tournament
and parade held in the city of Reading, October 3rd, 1895, under the auspices
of the State Firemen’s Association, and where there was over 100 engines in
line, our company had the honor conferred upon it by the judges, awarding the
first prize for the most beautiful engine in line.
1880, after a series of regular and special meetings at which much interest was
manifested by members. Arrangements for grand parade was made and took
place previous to the dedication ceremonies. The town was alive with people.
On the morning trains, firemen came from neighboring towns and were escorted
from the depot by a committee of which Wm. M. Antrim was chairman to their
respective headquarters. After one o’clock, while the fire companies were
forming for parade, a heavy rainfall began and continued one hour without
intermission. The procession was formed on West High street. Dr. John Todd
was chief Marshall. His assistants were Dr. James B. Weiler, Clayton B. kulp,
George B. Lessing, R. M. Root, Gen. W. M. Mintzer.
The procession passed over the principal streets of town and notwithstanding
the rain, which again began falling soon after the parade started, the sidewalks
were lined with thousands of people. Many houses and business places were
handsomely decorated with flags. Everybody seemed happy and the day was a
joyous one. In the line of procession were Good Will S. f. E. Co., the Empire
Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1, and the Philadelphia S. F. E. Co., No 1, of
Pottstown; the Norris and Fairmount of Norristown; Keystone H. & L., and a
delegation of Hampden Fire Co., of Reading; keystone S. f. E. Co., of
Boyertown; delegation of the Phoenix H. & L. Co., of Phoenixville. Each company
was preceded by a band. A novel feature of this parade or procession was the
old hand engine ”Pilot,” which was drawn by a number of men wearing white
shirts.
The parade was dismissed at the new engine house, corner Chestnut and Penn
streets. The apparatus of this company was housed by the Empire H. & L.
Company. The dedication ceremonies took place after the parade on a platform
built next to the engine house, and where now the old annex stands. They
commenced with music by the Citizens’ Cornet Band, after which prayer was
offered by rev. D. K. Kepner of the Lutheran Church. He was followed by A. M.
Scheffey, secretary of the company, who delivered a historical address of the
company. The orator of the day, J. wright Apple, Esq., was then introduced. He
delivered an interesting and eloquent address. After more music, John W.
Bickel, Esq., of Norristown, spoke of the early history of fire matters in Pottstown
and noted the commendable progress since made by the fire companies. Both
addresses were listened to with marked attention and were very well received.
The dedication ceremonies then closed.
On the evening of the same day, the annual fair of the company commenced in
the new engine house and was continued for two weeks. It was very successful.
The engine, now know as the old engine, being in service from June, 1871, up
to July 3rd, 1884, at that time was by action of the meeting of the company held
July 3rd, 1884, it was decided to have the engine repaired, nickel plated, etc.
The committee in charge was: M. S. Longaker, W. H. Antrim, Daniel Weidner, J.
H. Mauger and V. R. M. Missimer.
From January 3rd, 1871, up to May 15th, 1885, a pair of black horses was
purchased by a committee of which John H. Mauger was chairman, said horses
having been purchased of Abraham Fronheiser. From that time on up to the
securing of auto apparatus, the engine had to been drawn by horses belonging
to the company.
On May 15th, 1885, it was decided to build a stable for the stabling of three
horses on the vacant lot or piece of ground on the east side of the engine
house. The Building Committee on stable was: M. S. Longaker, John H. Mauger,
James B. Schotter, V. R. M. Missimer. At this time an express wagon and
sprinkler was also purchased.
On December 6th, 1888, it was decided to purchase a horse hose carriage and,
accordingly, a Silsby Horse Hose Carriage was purchased and delivered on
January 31st, 1889. At a special meeting held the same evening, President
Todd being in the chair, the carriage was accepted. At the same time, the
carriage horse harness was delivered. The carriage outfit was complete from the
time of the institution of the company on January 3rd, 1871. Up to January 31st,
1889, the carriage was run by members. Since that time, by horse, showing that
by the purchases of three horses and harness and improvement on fire matters
are concerned, in a position to do proficient and efficient fire service.
The financial condition of the company at the time of its institution, was such that
there was no money. For at least seven years after, the organization of the
company there was no financial assistance of the part of the Town Council. After
that time, the Town Council appropriated $50 per year for several years. The
appropriation was increased to $250 per year for several years and then again
increased to $500.00 per year for several years and then upon petition of a
majority of the votable taxables, property owners and residents of the town,
directed to the Town Council praying to increase the appropriations to $1000.00
per year. The prayers of the petitioners were granted.
The real estate and personal property of which the company is absolute owner,
is worth from $17,500 to $20,000, and was principally raised by individual efforts
of the members by holding fairs, balls and entertainment’s of various kinds in
which the company met with exceedingly good luck and returns financially for
which the members of the company and the company itself hold a grateful
feeling toward our citizens, always believing in the motto of our company __ ”We
labor For The profit of Our Citizens.”
The company has responded to every alarm of fire from the time of our
institution up to the present time, January 3rd, 1896, which indeed, speaks in
the highest of the organization.
Time has its effects upon our company as well as all others, in the advancement
of improvement, as will be shown. Twenty-five years ago, we paraded and wore
the red flannel shirt with the old style hats and belts. Today, the company wears
equipment consisting of blue overcoat, regulation style, firemen’s helmet, patent
leather belts, fatigue caps and red shirt, and for appearance, stand second to
none.
Some four or five years ago, the Town Council, upon the petition of a majority of
the taxable inhabitants of our town, purchased a third class improved Rotary
Engine for the use of our company, which has taken the place of the one
purchased by the company twenty-five years ago. The new engine is considered
on of the finest in the country and verify that declaration, at the last tournament
and parade held in the city of Reading, October 3rd, 1895, under the auspices
of the State Firemen’s Association, and where there was over 100 engines in
line, our company had the honor conferred upon it by the judges, awarding the
first prize for the most beautiful engine in line.
