Archive Record
Metadata
Catalog Number |
WNT 1000.42 |
Title |
Fire Department Records |
Collection |
Town Records |
Object Name |
Records |
Scope & Content |
This collection contains early, incomplete records of the Winchester Fire Department, including day books kept by hose companies, some also containing the group's constitution, bylaws, and names of members. There are also separate records of early members of the hose companies. |
Admin/Biographical History |
The Winchester Fire Department dates to 1851 when a hand-pump engine was purchased and Town Meeting authorized a committee to provide a suitable engine house. Originally it was a volunteer department, the men paid only with refreshments and cigars. The first formal company was organized in 1854 and named the Excelsior Engine Company. The new engine was named Excelsior No. 1. In 1857, the Town built a new engine house of Vine Street. In 1873, the Town acquired a new steam engine and built a new house on Winchester Place. To better protect the town, four hand-drawn carriages were bought and volunteer companies organized to run with them The Black Horse Company (No. 1) was stationed in a little house near Symmes Corner. The West Side Company (No. 2) had a house on Cambridge Street. Excelsior Hose (No. 3) was stationed on Swanton Street. Rumford (no. 4) covered upper Main Street. In addition, the center station had the Waldmyer Hose and a hook and ladder truck of the J. W. Huse Co. In 1892, the department was reorganized and the neighborhood hose reels discontinued. One horse-drawn hose carriage was kept at Swanton Street (Hose 3); otherwise the apparatus was concentrated at the center station. In 1912, the Town began purchasing motorized equipment. In 1913, it appointed its first fire chief. Then it built a new police and fire station on Mount Vernon Street, still in service |
Copyrights |
Permission to publish material from this collection is subject to approval by the Town of Winchester. |
Finding Aids |
A finding aid with detailed information about the contents of the collection is available. Contact the Archives for a copy. |
Subjects |
Fire Fire alarms Fire engines & equipment Fire fighters Fire fighting Fire hydrants Fire prevention Fire stations |
Search Terms |
Fire Department Records |
Containers |
Correspondence regarding personnel, typed copy of newspaper notice Equipment: Bills and Correspondence Fire Alarm Chart, blotter Excelsior #1 constitution, by-laws, members and day records 1858-1872 Excelsior, day records, 1854-1858 Day records,1873 -1887, 1873 -1884 Pay receipts, 1874-1883 Black Horse Hose #2, constitution, by-laws, and records 1875-1880 Black Horse Hose #2, records 1880-1893 Huse Hook & Ladder Co., constitution and by-laws, records 1874-1882 Huse Hook & Ladder Co., 1882-1890 Rumford Hose #4, 1892 Waldmyer #1 with constitution and by-laws, 1873 -1880 Hose 3, 1903 Hose 3, 1905-1906 WFD day records, 1903-1905 WFD maintenance records, 1903-1904 WFD day records, 1904 -1905 WFD day records, 1905 WFD day records, 1907 WFD day records, 1908 WFD day records, 1908-1910 WFD day records, 1911-1912 WFD day records, 1912-1913 WFD day records, 1919 WFD day records, 1921 WFD day records, 1921-1922 WFD day records, 1929 WFD day records, 1931 |