112 Van Houten Street
The firehouse at 112 Van Houten Street opened in May 1871 to quarter Passaic Engine Company 1 of the Volunteer Department. In 1884 it became the first Paterson Firehouse to stable horses. This firehouse is often confused with the 20th century firehouse that was built across the street at 115 Van Houten Street in 1912 which served as Headquarters of the department until 1982.
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Below is a photo of the quarters circa 1886-1889 when Passaic Steam Fire Engine Company 1 (a Paterson Volunteer Company named after the River) was located there. The company had no relationship to the City of Passaic.
Button Steamer outside 112 Van Houten Street Firehouse during Volunteer Era
In 1888 the Fire Department was reorganized by a special committee consisting of Aldermen Macdonald, Miller and Kearney, and a partially paid department or "Call System" succeeded the volunteer system on March 20th, 1890, with four permanent men in nine engine and three hook and ladder companies, and eight call men to each. The fulltime men consisted of Captains, Engineers, Drivers and Tillermen and Fire Alarm Officer.
Photo of Washington and Van Houten Street in 1898 showing O'Berg's Grocery Store which later this became Greenbaum's Furniture Store. The building at the far left is the firehouse of Engine Company 1 (112 Van Houten Street).
Chronological Listing of Events and Apparatus at 112 Van Houten Street
March 20, 1890: The transition from a totally volunteer department to partially paid occurred and at that time Passaic Steam Fire Engine Company One became Engine Company 1.
1890: Engine Company 1 used the apparatus of Passaic Steam Fire Engine Company One, specifically an 1886 Second Size Button Steam Fire Engine shown below (serial #176) as well as their Gleason and Bailey Hose Wagon.
Button Apparatus during the Volunteer Era ~ 1887
Volunteer era photo ~ 1887
Initial Roster:
Captain Ernest Fields
Engineer John Knause, Drivers Arthur Rogers and Samuel Miller
Callmen: Charles Saulter, William J. Post, William H. Brown, James H. Moser (Supreme Sacrifice), John Chadwick, William B Pohlman, Theodore A. Brown, Cornelius F. O'Neill
September 1, 1890: Proposals for new Engine 1 quarters
Paterson Daily Press
1891: Post and Doremus Hose Wagon with 700 feet of hose and two three gallon extinguishers.
January 12, 1892: Gig and swinging harness placed next to firehouse for use by Assistant Chief Mills
Paterson Press
May 11, 1893: Engine 1 officer election
Paterson Press
April 1, 1895: Chief Engineer Annual Report
Manpower Assignment for Engine 1
Manpower Assignment for Engine 1
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Badge Name Rank
1 Ernest Fields Captain 2 John Knaus Engineer 3 Arthur Rogers Driver 5 Charles Simonton Driver 112 William Ward Hoseman |
Badge Name Rank
6 William H. Brown Callman 7 William J Post Callman 8 Jacob Snyder Callman 9 Daniel Gregory Callman 10 Joseph Bachlin Callman 11 Theodore A. Brown Callman 12 Cornelius F. O'Neill Callman |
November 15, 1895: Department goes fully paid - callmen eliminated
November 15, 1895: the Fully Paid Department begins:
First Manpower Assignment for Engine 1 (Badge #s listed)
First Manpower Assignment for Engine 1 (Badge #s listed)
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Captain Ernest Fields #10
Engineer John Knauss #11 Arthur Rodgers #12 Chas. C. Simonton #14 |
William Ward #15
John J. Crowley #16 John McQuirk #17 William Delaney #18 |
Captain Ernest S. Fields
September 23, 1896: Repairs at firehouse
Paterson Daily Press
October 19 Paterson Daily Press
November 2, 1896: Button steamer under repair
Paterson Daily Press
Internal view of firehouse with the Button steamer in its bay (note sliding pole to left)
February 6, 1897: New system to regulate lights installed in firehouse
Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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April 1897 Roster with badge #s listed in Annual Report: (new name in italics)
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Captain Ernest Fields #10
Engineer John Knauss #11 Driver Arthur Rodgers #12 Driver: Thomas Halliwell #14 |
William Ward #15
John J. Crowley #16 John McQuirk #17 William Delaney #18 |
April 1, 1898: Roster in Annual Report: (changes from 1897 in italics)
Driver John Breen #14
April 16, 1898: FF J Crowley injured at Dolphin Mill fire on April 13
Paterson Daily Press
October 21, 1898: Repairs to firehouse necessitate relocation of apparatus
Paterson News courtesy Dennis Morrison
December 29, 1898: Engine 1 driven by John Breen loses tire at Bridge and Godwin Streets
December 30 Paterson News
January 6, 1899: Engine 1 steamer needs repairs
April 1, 1899: Roster with badge #s listed in Annual Report: (new name in italics)
Hoseman William Wilson #15
April 11, 1899: Station 124 response Morning Call article on April 12
Courtesy Stephen Jarantow
April 18, 1899: Fireman James Furry, the firefighter described in previous clip was expelled from department
June 30, 1899: Truck 2 and Engine 1 breaks in new horse
Paterson Daily Press
October 19, 1901: Need for new horse hitch for Engine 1 Button Steamer
Paterson News courtesy Dennis Morrison
February 10, 1902:
In the Great Fire of February 1902, the rear of the Firehouse was significantly damaged (see photo below: boy on bike is Fred Hindle) and Engine Company 1 had to relocate to the Firehouse at 77 Prospect Street (quarters of Engine Company 3). The house at 112 Van Houten Street was rebuilt and Engine Company 1 returned there in September 1902.
April 21, 1902: Alderman Committee plans repair to firehouse. Also Railroads will build ramps for apparatus to be taken on trains for mutual aid purposes
Paterson News
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September 8, 1902: Engine 1 returns to repaired firehouse at 112 Van Houten Street
Paterson Daily Press
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View of Firehouse Exterior and Men of Engine Company 1 (doors rebuilt)
January 6, 1903: FF John Crowey thrown from hose wagon
January 17 Paterson Daily Press
May 27, 1903 Engine Company One received a new First Size Metropolitan Steam Fire Engine as well as a Seagrave Hose Wagon (both pictured below)
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May 28 Paterson Daily Press
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Paterson News Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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View of Engine 1's 1903 Metropolitan Steamer exiting quarters at 112 Van Houten Street
Metropolitan Steam Fire Engine - 1907 Photo
1903 Metropolitan Steamer in action
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July 24, 1903: New Seagrave hose wagons arrive and go to Engines 1 and 5
Paterson Daily Press
November 26, 1903: Accident with Engine 1 Steamer and a patrol wagon as it was returning to quarters from a false alarm.
November 27 Paterson Daily Press
December 10, 1903: Captain Fields of Engine 1 ill with respiratory illness, fire related.
Paterson Daily Press
February 12, 1904: Apparatus status from a report by Chief Stagg - Engine 1
Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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December 23, 1904: Engine 1 responding to a Van Houten Street fire crashes into a sleigh
Paterson Daily Press
April 10, 1905: Company elections
Paterson Daily Press
April 19, 1905: Engine 1 and Truck 1 (with water attachment) drill on Governor Street
April 20 Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison
April 20, 1905: Department Supply Wagon while at a drill with Engine 1 and Truck 3 is a runaway injuring a civilian.
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1906 issue of Fire and Water Engineering. Engine 1 hose wagon leaving quarters
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
Supposedly July 11, 1909 responding to Station 456 at River and Washington Street - From Fire & Water Engineering Magazine courtesy Dennis Morrison
Engine Company 1 hose wagon leaving quarters responding to a Box alarm
Engine Company 1 Metropolitan Steamer as seen from the rear
Date ? Men of Engine Company 1 on Parade - Captain with double breasted coat is at left
Fireman Peter Sanford at right
March 5, 1906: New 15" gong for firehouse
Paterson Daily Press
October 1907: Company Roster - Captain Ernest Field, Lieutenant Josiah Barton, Engineer John Knauss, FFs David Taylor, Harry Lister, William Delaney, John Crowley, Joseph Grer, Peter Sanford, Thomas Hunt.
October 27, 1907: From the Guardian PFD series - Steamer outside the firehouse
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
October 1907: (Photo published in 1908) Left to right standing: Harry Lister, Joseph Greer, David Taylor, Samuel Fielding, John Crowley, John Knaus, Peter Sandford, William Delany. Sitting Captain Ernest S. Fields, Lieutenant Thomas Coyle (future Chief Engineer)
NY Sunday World - also 1909 Ball Book
January 17, 1908: Captain Erenest Fields burned by a backdraft.
Paterson Press
May 14, 1908: Accident on Cross Street by Engine 1
Mat 16, 1908 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
May 16, 1908: Test of steamer and water tower of Truck 2
Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison
Chief Stagg
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1909: Engine 1 Captain was Ernest S. Fields
April 3, 1909: Newspaper reports sickness F/F Peter Sanford
Paterson News courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Peter Sanford
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August 4, 1910: Death of company cat called Wang Doodle Johnson facetiously reported
Paterson News courtesy Dennis Morrison
May 19, 1911: AT 12:59 PM Station 561 (PS 9) was pulled for a fire at 92 Thomas Street. Engine 1 was involved in accident at Main and Mary Streets r
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Press Guardian - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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July 1911: Steam fire engine sent via railroad to the Nott Company in Minneapolis, MN to be motorized.
1912: With the opening of the new central fire headquarters across the street at 115 Van Houten Street, the 112 Van Houten Street firehouse closed. Engine Company One simply moved across the street. Awaiting the company was their 1903 Metropolitan Steam Engine now motorized with a Nott propelling Tractor Soon thereafter the 112 Van Houten Street was utilized by the Paterson Police Department: it officially became the Paterson Police Department Traffic Headquarters.
December 25, 1925: History of the 112 Van Houten Street Firehouse - from Volunteer to paid department times
Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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1982 View: Note lantern still exists
2016 view of the old firehouse
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July 2022
Kyle Broadfield photo
2022 - Projected future use
