PATERSON FIRE HISTORY
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  • OVERVIEW
    • FIRST CENTURY
    • EVENTS 1890-1894
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    • EVENTS 1911-1919
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    • EVENTS 1940-1959
    • EVENTS 1960-1979
    • EVENTS 1980-99
    • EVENTS 2000-2019
    • EVENTS 2020-2021
  • FIREFIGHTERS
    • MASTER MECHANICS
  • THE SUPREME SACRIFICE
    • MEMORIAL SERVICE
  • CHIEF ENGINEERS
    • ASSISTANT CHIEFS
    • DEPUTY CHIEFS
    • BATTALION CHIEFS
    • CHIEF GIGS
  • GREAT 1902 CONFLAGRATION
  • TAKING THE HEAT BOOK
  • 1893 PFD HISTORY BOOK
  • 1940 HISTORICAL REVIEW
  • 1950 HISTORICAL REVIEW
  • NOTABLE FIRES/INCIDENTS
  • EMS
    • EMS ROSTER
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  • COMPANY & FH HISTORY
  • COMMUNICATIONS / FA
    • FIRE BOX LISTS
    • EVRS STATION LIST
  • SPECIAL OPERATIONS
  • SPECIAL OP EVENTS
  • FIRE VIDEOS 1991-2011
  • FIRE VIDEOS 2014-2020
  • DOCUDRAMAS
  • APPARATUS
  • APPARATUS VIDEOS
  • NOTABLE EVENTS INDEX
    • APPARATUS NOTABLES
    • APPTS & PROMOTIONS
    • AWARDS
    • DEATHS / OBITUARIES
    • FIREMEN STORIES
    • 1960 CHIEF SELECTION
    • GRAND STREET RIOT 1917
    • GROUND ZERO
    • HANCOCKS
    • HISTORICAL REVIEWS
    • HISTORY by CHIEF STAGG
    • JOSEPH DAYSPRING
    • KEARNEY-FAMILY
    • MILITARY
    • PARADES
    • RED MASS
    • RESCUES
    • RETIREMENTS
    • SISTER LORETTA
    • SPORTS
    • THEATRE DETAIL
  • MEMORABILIA
  • PATCHES DECALS LOGOS SHIRTS
  • WALLPAPER
  • DEPARTMENT DOGS
  • TRAINING
  • VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT
    • 1821 - 1854 HISTORY
    • VOLUNTEER HISTORY
    • ANNUAL REPORTS
    • VOLUNTEER CHIEFS
    • VOLUNTEER PROFILES
    • ANDREW MOSER
    • VOLUNTEER COMPANIES
  • EXEMPT ASSOCIATION
  • EXEMPT HOME & RELICS
  • FMBA / PFA
  • BALLBOOKS
    • 1909 BALL BOOK
    • 1916 BALL BOOK
    • 1918 BALL BOOK
    • 1923 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1928 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1935 PFD BOOSTER
    • 1936 JANUARY PICTORIAL
    • 1936 DECEMBER PICTORIAL
    • 1937 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1938 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1939 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1941 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1942 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1943 ANNUAL BALL
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    • 2011 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2014 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2016 ANNUAL BALL
  • AUXILIARY FIRE DEPARTMENT
  • CITY OF PATERSON
  • PFH CONTRIBUTORS
  • ORAL HISTORY
  • STATISTICS
  • CONTACT

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.
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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. 
​

​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.
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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.
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Button Apparatus during the Volunteer Era ~ 1887
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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
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1891: Post and Doremus Hose Wagon with 700 feet of hose and two three gallon extinguishers. 
April 1, 1895: Chief Engineer Annual Report
Manpower Assignment for Engine 1
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)


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
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Captain Ernest S. Fields
February 6, 1897:  New system to regulate lights installed in firehouse
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Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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April 1897 Roster with badge #s listed in Annual Report:  (new name in italics)
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
​

October 21, 1898:  Repairs to firehouse necessitate relocation of apparatus
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Paterson News courtesy Dennis Morrison
December 29, 1898: Engine 1 driven by John Breen loses tire at Bridge and Godwin Streets
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December 30 Paterson News
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
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Courtesy Stephen Jarantow
April 18, 1899: Fireman James Furry, the firefighter described in previous clip was expelled from department
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October 19, 1901:  Need for new horse hitch for Engine 1 Button Steamer
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Paterson News courtesy Dennis Morrison
View of Firehouse Exterior and Men of Engine Company 1  (doors rebuilt)
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Internal view of  firehouse with the Button  steamer in its bay (note sliding pole to left)
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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 1903.
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April 21, 1903: Alderman Committee plans repair to firehouse. Als Railroads will build ramps for apparatus to be taken on trains for mutual aid purposes
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Paterson News
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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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Paterson News Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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May 28, 1903 - Paterson Guardian - Courtesy Jim Eifler
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View of Engine 1's 1903 Metropolitan Steamer exiting quarters at 112 Van Houten Street
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Metropolitan Steam Fire Engine - 1907 Photo
1903 Metropolitan Steamer in action
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1906 issue of Fire and Water Engineering.  Engine 1 hose wagon leaving quarters
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Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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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 
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Engine Company 1 Metropolitan Steamer as seen from the rear
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Men of Engine Company 1 on Parade - Captain with double breasted coat is at left
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Fireman Peter Sanford at right
February 12, 1904: Apparatus status from a report by Chief Stagg - Engine 1
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Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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April 19, 1905:  Engine 1 and Truck 1 (with water attachment) drill on Governor Street
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April 20 Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison
October 27, 1907: From the Guardian PFD series - Steamer outside the firehouse
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Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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)
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NY Sunday World - also 1909 Ball Book

​May 14, 1908:   Accident on Cross Street by Engine 1
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Mat 16, 1908 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
May 16, 1908: Test of steamer and water tower of Truck 2
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Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Chief Stagg
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1909: Engine 1 Captain was Ernest S. Fields
April 3, 1909:   Newspaper reports sickness F/F Peter Sanford
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Paterson News courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Peter Sanford
August 4, 1910: Death of company cat called Wang Doodle Johnson facetiously reported
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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

​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
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Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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1982 View: Note lantern still exists
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2016 view of the old firehouse
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  • HOME
  • OVERVIEW
    • FIRST CENTURY
    • EVENTS 1890-1894
    • EVENTS 1895-1899
    • EVENTS 1900-1910
    • EVENTS 1911-1919
    • EVENTS 1920-1939
    • EVENTS 1940-1959
    • EVENTS 1960-1979
    • EVENTS 1980-99
    • EVENTS 2000-2019
    • EVENTS 2020-2021
  • FIREFIGHTERS
    • MASTER MECHANICS
  • THE SUPREME SACRIFICE
    • MEMORIAL SERVICE
  • CHIEF ENGINEERS
    • ASSISTANT CHIEFS
    • DEPUTY CHIEFS
    • BATTALION CHIEFS
    • CHIEF GIGS
  • GREAT 1902 CONFLAGRATION
  • TAKING THE HEAT BOOK
  • 1893 PFD HISTORY BOOK
  • 1940 HISTORICAL REVIEW
  • 1950 HISTORICAL REVIEW
  • NOTABLE FIRES/INCIDENTS
  • EMS
    • EMS ROSTER
  • FIREHOUSE PHOTOS / FACTS
  • COMPANY & FH HISTORY
  • COMMUNICATIONS / FA
    • FIRE BOX LISTS
    • EVRS STATION LIST
  • SPECIAL OPERATIONS
  • SPECIAL OP EVENTS
  • FIRE VIDEOS 1991-2011
  • FIRE VIDEOS 2014-2020
  • DOCUDRAMAS
  • APPARATUS
  • APPARATUS VIDEOS
  • NOTABLE EVENTS INDEX
    • APPARATUS NOTABLES
    • APPTS & PROMOTIONS
    • AWARDS
    • DEATHS / OBITUARIES
    • FIREMEN STORIES
    • 1960 CHIEF SELECTION
    • GRAND STREET RIOT 1917
    • GROUND ZERO
    • HANCOCKS
    • HISTORICAL REVIEWS
    • HISTORY by CHIEF STAGG
    • JOSEPH DAYSPRING
    • KEARNEY-FAMILY
    • MILITARY
    • PARADES
    • RED MASS
    • RESCUES
    • RETIREMENTS
    • SISTER LORETTA
    • SPORTS
    • THEATRE DETAIL
  • MEMORABILIA
  • PATCHES DECALS LOGOS SHIRTS
  • WALLPAPER
  • DEPARTMENT DOGS
  • TRAINING
  • VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT
    • 1821 - 1854 HISTORY
    • VOLUNTEER HISTORY
    • ANNUAL REPORTS
    • VOLUNTEER CHIEFS
    • VOLUNTEER PROFILES
    • ANDREW MOSER
    • VOLUNTEER COMPANIES
  • EXEMPT ASSOCIATION
  • EXEMPT HOME & RELICS
  • FMBA / PFA
  • BALLBOOKS
    • 1909 BALL BOOK
    • 1916 BALL BOOK
    • 1918 BALL BOOK
    • 1923 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1928 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1935 PFD BOOSTER
    • 1936 JANUARY PICTORIAL
    • 1936 DECEMBER PICTORIAL
    • 1937 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1938 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1939 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1941 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1942 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1943 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1944 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1945 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1946 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1947 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1948 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1949 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1950 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1951 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1952 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1953 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1954 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1955 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1956 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1957 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1958 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1959 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1960 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1961 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1962 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1963 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1964 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1965 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1966 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1967 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1968 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1969 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1970 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1971 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1972 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1973 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1975 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1976 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1977 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1979 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1980 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1981 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1982 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1983 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1984 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1985 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1986 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1987 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1988 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1989 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1990 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1991 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1992 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1993 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1994 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1995 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1996 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1997 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1998 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1999 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2000 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2001 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2002 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2003 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2004 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2005 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2010 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2011 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2014 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2016 ANNUAL BALL
  • AUXILIARY FIRE DEPARTMENT
  • CITY OF PATERSON
  • PFH CONTRIBUTORS
  • ORAL HISTORY
  • STATISTICS
  • CONTACT