This firehouse at 183 Godwin Avenue (corner of Auburn Street) was built in 1870 to house Cataract Hose Company 2 (originally organized in 1869) of the Volunteer Fire Department, where "Cataract" of course refers to a waterfall. Note: the street numbers on Godwin Ave changed in the late 1920s when elevation of the Erie Railroad along Straight Street bisected Godwin Avenue and other streets and what was originally 183 Godwin Street was then changed to 41 Godwin Avenue.
The transition from a totally volunteer department to partially paid began in 1888 when the three Hose Companies including Cataract 2 were disbanded. At that time the 183 Godwin Avenue Firehouse was destroyed in a fire. The firehouse was rebuilt and a new Hook and Ladder Company, called Rapid 3 was formed and operated (albeit briefly) out of the Godwin Avenue.
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 assigned to each. The fulltime men consisted of Captains, Engineers, Drivers and Tillermen.
Chronological Listing of Events and Apparatus at Godwin Avenue
March 20, 1890: The partially paid "Call System" went into effect, and Rapid Hook and Ladder Company 3 became Truck Company 3, operating out of the 183 Godwin Street Firehouse.
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Initial Roster: Truck Company 3
Captain Edward J. Cohlman
Tillermen Nelson Norris and Harry Lister, Driver Abram Perius
Callmen: Nathan C. Quackenbush, James H. Coyle, William R. Close, John J. Hawley, George Carr, Christopher Murphy (Supreme Sacrifice), H. M. Butler, Walter Beveridge.
April 1, 1895: Chief Engineer Annual Report
Manpower Assignment for Truck 3
Manpower Assignment for Truck 3
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Badge Name Rank
133 Stewart Taylor Captain 134 Nelson Norris Tillerman 135 Harry Lister Laddernan 136 George Bunting Driver 138 John Specht Ladderman |
Badge Name Rank
139 Charles Harrison Ladderman 140 Andrew Knaus Pipeman 141 Charles F. Sutter Callman 142 James Coyle Callman |
Apparatus: 1893 Combination Chemical and Truck built by Fire Extinguisher Company of Chicago. Carried one 50 gallon chemical tank, one 55 foot extension ladder, one 35 foot, two 30 foot, one 18 foot, one 14 foot, one 12 foot ladders, two three gallon extinguishers, poles, hooks, ropes, etc.
October 6, 1894: Captain's vacation reported
Courtesy Jim Eifler
November 3, 1894: Election
November 15, 1895: Department goes fully paid - callmen eliminated
November 15, 1895: the Fully Paid Department begins:
First Manpower Assignment for Truck 3 (Badge #s)
First Manpower Assignment for Truck 3 (Badge #s)
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Captain Stewart Taylor #130
Tillerman Nelson Norris #131 Ladderman Harry Lister #132 Ladderman George Bunting #134 |
Driver Charles Harrison #135
Driver Andrew Knaus #136 Ladderman Henry Harding #137 |
Captain Stewart Taylor
March 20, 1890: Truck built in 1881 by E. V. Leverich formerly used by Eagle Hook and Ladder Company 1 of the Volunteer department, which carried one 65-foot extension, one 38-foot, one 30-foot, one 26-foot, two 24-foot, one 18-foot, one 12-foot roof ladder ; two 5-gallon extinguishers, poles, hooks, ropes, etc.
1889 Photo Tillerman is Nelson C. Norris (formerly of Cataract Hose 2 of Volunteer Department)
March 13, 1893: Affair to honor the old truck and welcome the new Chemical/Ladder Truck. Call men eliminated from Truck 3
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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March 1893: Combination Chemical and Ladder Truck with 55' extension ladder built by the Fire Extinguisher Company of Chicago. Also had one 35' ladder, two 30' ladders, one 18' ladder, one 14' extension ladder and one 14' and 12' roof ladders as well as two three-gallon extinguishers.
1895: Firehorse "Bill" sticking his head out of the Godwin Avenue Firehouse window.
Photo courtesy of Assistant Chief Joseph Forbes
August 31, 1896: Famed comedians visit Captain Taylor at firehouse
Courtesy Jim Eifler
May 1, 1901: Incident exiting the firehouse
February 12, 1904: Report of Chief Stagg on apparatus - Truck 3
Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
October 30 1906: The truck was rebuilt (fitted with rubber wheels, strengthened and repainted) and drawn by three horses and would be the last horse drawn fire apparatus ever used by the PFD: its last run was July 4, 1920.
May 23, 1907: 2:30 PM - While responding to what turned out to a General Alrrm fire at 9 & 11 Olive Street & 116 Park Avenue the apparatus struck and killed a pedestrian.
May 24 Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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October 27, 1907: From the PFD series published in the Guardian
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
1908: Men of Hook and Ladder Company 3: Standing left-right: Stephen Bergen, John J Farrell, William Boyle, Matthew Ferguson, Andrew Knaus, George Dobson, Thomas McGill, John Daley. Sitting: Lieutenant John Specht, Captain Stewart Taylor, Lieutenant William Post.
NY Sunday World - also 1909 Ball Book
1909: Captain is Stewart Taylor
April 22, 1910: Aerial has collision at River and Straight Streets on way to fire at Erie railroad (at Erie Street). Captain Taylor riding on side of apparatus was injured and hospitalized
April 22 courtesy Dennis Morrison
February 12, 1911: Box alarm at 8:30 PM FF Joseph Murphy (who had a history of disciplinary issues) of Truck 3 in a deep sleep misses response
February 13 Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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FF Murphy
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June 22, 1913: Paterson Chronicle Series #16 on PFD Companies: Truck Company No. 3
Courtesy Dennis Mortrison
L-R: First row: Captain Frank Boyle, John Daly, Joseph Chapman, John Farrell and Lieutenant Andrew Knause. Second row: Stephen Bergen, Herman Meyers, Joseph McLauglin, and Charles Bobrowski.
January 27, 1915: Commissioners taking steps for new motorized apparatus
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Paterson Evening News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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July 1, 1916: Two Platoon System begins: (Day and Night Shifts)
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Day Shift
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Night Shift
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Lieutenant William Wilson
Herman Meyers John Farrell Charles Bobrowski Joseph McLaughlin |
Captain Frank Boy;e
Stephen Bergin John Brady Irving Fenwick |
1918 Ball Book Roster
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Captain Frank Boyle
Lieutenant William Wilson John Daly Stephen bergen John Farrell Hermen Meyer |
Joseph McLoughlin
Charles Brobrowski Irving Fenwick Philip Hartley Jacob Nightingale (in US Armed Forces) |
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July 4, 1920: The last alarm response in Paterson using horses was Station 634 (East 18th Street and 3rd Avenue) for a fire at 755 River Street. Driver was FF John Doyle and tillerman John Farrell. Horses were Jerry, Frank and Billy.
FF John Farrell (Tillerman)
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FF John Doyle
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July 6 Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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July 4, 1920: Commercial Truck Company 75' Aerial with Electric powered tractor (Serial # 19027) and a water tower attachment. With this change the PFD becomes completely motorized. This truck ultimately became the last electric powered apparatus used by the PFD with the last run on March 29, 1932.
1920s: When elevation of the Erie Railroad along Straight Street bisected Godwin Avenue and other streets and the address of the Firehouse (183 Godwin Avenue) was then changed to 41 Godwin Avenue.
1930 Company Roster
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A Shift
Captain Jacob Nightengale Basil Brosnan Robert Travis Vincent Davies Joseph McLaughlin John Farrell |
B Shift
Captain Paul Schaub Edward Peters John Mial Raymond Flynn Leo Walsh Lester Reiche |
March 29, 1932: New Ahrens Fox Aerial 75-6-1 (Serial #2059) placed in service
What does the 75-6-1 mean? They are Ahrens Fox Company codes: -1 means aerial ladder, -6 means a Fox tractor and 75 is the length in feet of the largest ladder
What does the 75-6-1 mean? They are Ahrens Fox Company codes: -1 means aerial ladder, -6 means a Fox tractor and 75 is the length in feet of the largest ladder
Ahrens Fox 2059 was almost identical to Truck Company #2 except it had a 75' (vs 85') aerial and a shorter trailer wheelbase of 287 inches compared to 314 inches. The photos above and below were taken in the late 1940s and depict the apparatus drilling outside the firehouse. The Captain is Joseph Dayspring. The photo of the apparatus backing into quarters with the tiller standing is a rarity.
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Captain Joseph Dayspring
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1930s Fire Scene with Truck 3 and Engine Company 2
1935: Men of Truck Company 3 A Shift: Captain Jacob Nightingale, B Brosnon, Robert Travis, C Bobrowski, V Davies, Joseph McLaughlin, John Farrell
1935: Men of Truck Company 3 B Shift: Captain Paul Schaub, Edward Peters, John Mial, Raymond Flynn, Leo Walsh, Lester Reiche
1940 Paterson Evening News Golden Jubilee - Engine Company 3 Roster
Dayspring Collection
1944 Annual Report Roster
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A Shift
Captain John Craig William Flynn Robert Travis Basil Brosnan |
Captain Paul Schaub
John Mial Raymond Flynn John Feeney |
View of Firehouse and Men in 1946: with Truck 3 1932 Ahrens Fox Aerial in bay
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Captain Paul Schaub
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Firemen John Mial, Joseph Dayspring, Ray Flynn
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Firemen John Mial, John Feeny, Ray Flynn
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Drill outside of Quarters
1949 Ball book photo: A Shift: L-R: Captain Joseph Dayspring, William Flynn, Aurelio R. Riga, Angelo Contini, and Thomas Ingram.
FF Tommy Ingram
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Captain Dayspring's actual Breast and Cap badges seen in the ball book photo above |
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1949 Ball book photo of Truck 3: "B Shift" L-R: Captain Ray Flynn, Frank Hebda, Richard Henches, Mario Colatarci and John Feeney
The following pictures show life in Godwin Avenue quarters in the 1940s
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Captain Joseph Dayspring in classic firehouse chair below.
Standing is Thomas Ingram
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Captain Joseph Dayspring dealing with Angelo Contini to his left and Aurelio Riga to his right.
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Repairing toys inside quarters: Front to back Tommy Ingram, Ray Flynn, Angelo Contini
FF Tommy Ingram, Angelo Contini, Allan DeRitter, Bick D'Amico. Grill of Ahrens Fox Aerial is visible behind door
October 16, 1953: From the Morning Call Series on PFD Companies. For the Volunteer Era CLICK HERE
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
October 16, 1953 Morning Call and 1954 Ball Book
L-R: Captain James Coyle, Robert Fisher, Nicholas D'Amico, Joseph Christensen, Paul Ferraro, Thomas Ingram, John Feeney, Carmen Grossi, Angelo Contini, and Captain Joseph Nardella. Their 1932 Ahrens Fox aerial is behind the men in its bay.
1953 fire on Slate Street with Truck 3 Fox. Ahrens Fox pumper also seen at left.
May 11, 1954: The original 1932 Ahrens Fox tractor was replaced with a FWD Tractor (Serial # 8041).
FF John Toth, Vince "Chick" Mandara" and Tommy Hanenberg Sr in front of apparatus at Godwin Street Quarters - Courtesy of Hanenberg Family
June 14, 1954: Engine Company 12 and Truck Company 2 were both damaged in a collision at Main Street and Broadway at 12:54 AM. Photo below shows the accident (as they were returning to quarters from a car fire at Cross and Passaic Streets). Fireman William Gallagher was sent to St. Joseph's Hospital and Captain Joseph Nardella treated at scene. In the columns below there is a typo (misprint) - Deputy Chief Day is actually Chief Joseph Bray
Dayspring Collection
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In story below - the Deputy Chief was Joseph Bray, not Day
Dayspring Collection
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The old (1932) Ahrens Fox Tractor was reattached to the Fox aerial. On November 12, 1954 FWD Tractor (#8041) and Fox Aerial (#2059) returned to service.
June 2, 1955: The Ahrens Fox aerial trailer (#2059) was returned to FWD in Clintonville, WI., for rebuilding. During this time and when it returned on September 29, 1955, Truck 3 used the 1929 Ahren's Fox aerial they had obtained from Hastings on the Hudson (Serial #2047) attached to 1954 FWD Tractor (8041)
September 29, 1955: 1954 FWD Tractor (#8041) attached to rebuilt Ahrens Fox Trailer (#2059). The apparatus is seen in the foreground of the photo below. The other apparatus at top with raised aerial ladder is Truck 1 FWD.
June 2, 1955: The Ahrens Fox aerial trailer (#2059) was returned to FWD in Clintonville, WI., for rebuilding. During this time and when it returned on September 29, 1955, Truck 3 used the 1929 Ahren's Fox aerial they had obtained from Hastings on the Hudson (Serial #2047) attached to 1954 FWD Tractor (8041)
September 29, 1955: 1954 FWD Tractor (#8041) attached to rebuilt Ahrens Fox Trailer (#2059). The apparatus is seen in the foreground of the photo below. The other apparatus at top with raised aerial ladder is Truck 1 FWD.
1956 photo at School 24 fire
1960: Tyler Street fire: Truck 3 with the1954 FWD Tractor (#8041) attached to rebuilt Ahrens Fox Trailer (#2059). This rebuilt apparatus went in service at the Godwin Avenue firehouse on September 29, 1955: the truck relocated to Riverside Firehouse in 1962 and the entire apparatus was incinerated at the Franklin Street General Alarm October 21, 1963
DC Joseph Dayspring wearing civilian (no cap) in center of photo
The Godwin Avenue firehouse closed on August 29, 1962 and Truck Company 3 relocated to the new Riverside Firehouse at 236 Lafayette Street.
Here is a view of the Godwin Ave and Auburn Street firehouse long after it closed. As noted above, the street numbers on Godwin Ave changed ~1929 and what was 41 Godwin (the original address) is now listed as 39 Godwin Avenue
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2016
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