112 VAN HOUTEN STREET

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.

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

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

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

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 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

September 8, 1902: Engine 1 returns to repaired firehouse at 112 Van Houten Street

Paterson Daily Press

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)

May 28 Paterson Daily Press

Paterson News Courtesy Dennis Morrison

Courtesy Dennis Morrison

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

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

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.

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

1909: Engine 1 Captain was Ernest S. Fields

April 3, 1909: Newspaper reports sickness F/F Peter Sanford

Paterson News courtesy Dennis Morrison

Peter Sanford

November 14, 1909: Hose wagon painted.

Paterson Press

June 15, 1910: E1 Driver William Delaney injured while responding to an alarm.

June 16 Paterson Press

August 4, 1910: Death of company cat called Wang Doodle Johnson facetiously reported

Paterson News courtesy Dennis Morrison

August 3 Paterson Press

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

Press Guardian - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

July 1911: Steam fire engine sent via railroad to the Nott Company in Minneapolis, MN to be motorized.

July 19, 1910: FF John Crowley stops runaway horse with child in wagon

Paterson Press

July 15, 1911: Horse draw steamers of Engine 1 and 5 being dismantled prior to shipping for Nott Company in Indianapolis for conversion to being auto-engine propelled

Paterson Press

March 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