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. 

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. 
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​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

​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
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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

Captain Ernest S. Fields

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

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

View of Firehouse Exterior and Men of Engine Company 1  (doors rebuilt)

Internal view of  firehouse with the Button  steamer in its bay (note sliding pole to left)

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.

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)​

Courtesy Dennis Morrison

Courtesy Dennis Morrison

May 28, 1903 - Paterson Guardian - Courtesy Jim Eifler

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

Engine Company 1 hose wagon leaving quarters responding to a Box alarm 1909

Engine Company 1 Metropolitan Steamer as seen from the rear

Men of Engine Company 1 on Parade

Fireman Peter Sanford at right

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

1909: Captain was Ernest S. Fields

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 after being motorized with a Nott propelling Tractor simply moved across the street.  Soon thereafter the 112 Van Houten Street was utilized by the Paterson Police Department: it officially became the Paterson Police Department Traffic Headquarters.

1982 View: Note lantern still exists

2016 view of the old firehouse