586 Main Street
The firehouse at 586A (see map below) Main Street (near Washington Avenue) was built in 1876 to house Paterson Steam Fire Engine Company 9 of the Volunteer Fire Department (the company was organized in 1882 and went on duty March 3, 1883).
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 as well as the chief, and two assistants.
Chronological Listing of Events and Apparatus at 586 Main Street
May 10, 1890: Company election of officers
Paterson Daily Press
March 20, 1890: The transition from a totally volunteer department to partially paid "Casll System" occurred and Paterson Steam Fire Engine Company Nine became Engine Company 9.
March 20, 1890: Second Size 1876 Nussey Steam Fire Engine (pictured below as a spare apparatus at Prospect Street firehouse). The Company also had a Walker four wheel Hose Wagon carrying 700 feet of hose.
Initial Roster: Engine Company 9
Captain John J. Condon
Engineer Michael Hanlon, Drivers Louis Hasser and Michael Farrell
Callmen: Nicholas R. Snyder, George Slater, John C. Garside, John O'Neill, Frank Rever, John Glass, John Madden, Michael Berghorn
Captain John J. Condon
Engineer Michael Hanlon, Drivers Louis Hasser and Michael Farrell
Callmen: Nicholas R. Snyder, George Slater, John C. Garside, John O'Neill, Frank Rever, John Glass, John Madden, Michael Berghorn
August 1, 1890: Captain Condon disciplined at Alderman's Fire Committee meeting
August 2 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
August 29, 1890: Aldermen's Fire Committee meeting
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August 30 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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March 13, 1891: Aldermen accept Silsby Steamer (over Amoskeag, Button and LaFrance bids) purchase for Engine 9
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March 14 Paterson Press
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March 28, 1891: New Silsby steamer, originally destined for Cleveland, arrives via railroad
March 30 Paterson Press
March 31, 1891: Third Size Silsby Steam Fire Engine (Serial # 996) replaced the Nussey Steamer. Tested along River Road.
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April 1 Paterson Press
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July 3, 1891: 1886 Gleason and Bailey Hose Wagon from Engine Company 1 had 700' of hose, 2 three-gallon extinguishers and one roof ladder.
July 17, 1891: Fire Committee Meeting: Captain Condon reduced to F/F rank and Peter Reilly (driver of E4) elevated to Captain of Engine 9.
July 18 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
February 17, 1892: E9 develops flag system to alert electric cars on Main Street of apparatus leaving firehouse
Paterson Press
March 11, 1892: Engineer Reid injured while exercising the horses
Paterson Press
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March 12 Paterson Press
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August 22, 1892: Repairs to firehouse - Engine & horses transiently relocate to stable on Marshall Street
Paterson Press
January 31, 1893: Engineer Costello of E6 receives temporary assignment to cover for injured Engineer Reed at Engine 9
Paterson Press
May 1, 1893: Call and Permanent Men's Association of Engine 9 has elections
Paterson Press
February 5, 1894: Chief Stagg sends E1 supply/hose wagon which has chemical tanks to Main Street firehouse and the wagon that was at Engine 9 goes to Engine 1 at 112 Van Houten Street
Paterson Press
May 8, 1894: Engine 9 election
Paterson Press
July 23, 1894: Bedroom accommodation improvement at firehouse by F/F Mundrick
Morning Call
December 24, 1894: Hose wagon Driver Michael Farrell becomes ill at firehouse
Paterson Press
April 1, 1895: Chief Engineer Annual Report
Manpower Assignment for Engine 9
Manpower Assignment for Engine 9
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Badge Name Rank
97 William B. Campbell Captain 98 Henry L. Reid Engineer 99 Michael Farrell Driver 100 Allison Boswell Driver 107 Christian Mondrick Hoseman |
Badge Name Rank
101 Nicholas R. Snyder Callman 102 George Slater Callman 103 John C. Garside Callman 104 John O'Neill Callman 105 Frank Revear Callman 106 John Glass Callman 108 Michael Berghorn Callman |
Apparatus: 1891 3rd size Silsby steamer in good condition. 1886 Gleason and Bailey hose wagon with 700' hose, 2 three gallon extinguishers and 3 six gallon extinguishers
November 15, 1895: Department goes fully paid - callmen eliminated
November 15, 1895: the Fully Paid Department begins:
First Manpower Assignment for Engine 9
First Manpower Assignment for Engine 9
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Captain William Campbell #90
Engineer Charles Wiley #91 Driver Michael Farrell #92 Driver Allison "Allen" Rosewell #93 |
Hoseman Thomas McGuirk #95
Hoseman George Slater #96 Hoseman Michael Slattery #98 |
Captain William Campbell
May 6, 1895: Company election
Paterson Press
December 5, 1895: 7:30 PM Station 43 - FF falling of Hose Wagon injured
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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December 6 Paterson Press
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February 24, 1986: Investigation of Engine 9 FF's failure to help[ a police officer
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April 25, 1896: Captain & F/F of E 9 reprimanded by Mayor
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Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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April 25 Paterson Daily Press
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April 28 Paterson Press
September 1, 1896: Sister of FF Michael Farrell sues him for loan repayment
Paterson Daily Press
February 13, 1897: FF Charles Wiley fined for entering a saloon while on duty
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Paterson Daily Press
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June 5, 1897: Fire committee sells old steamer
Paterson Daily Press
April 20, 1899: Station 72 (Police Station on Washington Street) General Alarm 11:20 AM
Apollo Hall on Van Houten Street. Hose wagon of Engine 9 has accident at Main and Market Streets with F/F injuries.
Paterson Evening News
August 1, 1899: Main Street quarters under repair
Paterson daily Press
September 30, 1902: Driver John Vesey falls off apparatus while responding to fire at Strange Mill on Madison Street
October 1 Paterson Daily Press
January 5, 1903: Aldermen investigate Captain James O'Neill of Engine 9 for improper language
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Paterson Daily Press
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February 28, 1903: Active firefighter James Madden, age 45, of Engine 9 passes away.
February 28 Paterson News
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March 3 Paterson News
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February 28, 1903: Aldermen discuss disposition on Engine 1 and 5 when new Steamers arrive - Chief notes they will become reserve engines
Paterson Daily Press
February 28, 1903: FF (active) John Madden of Engine 9 dies
March 2 Paterson Daily Press
May 27, 1903: Engine Company 9 receives the Button Steamer formerly used by Passaic Engine Company 1 of the Volunteer Department and Engine Company 1 at 112 Van Houten Street. The 1891 Silsby apparatus used by E9 is transferred to Engine 7 at Gould Avenue
June 9, 1903: Engine 9 steamer (formerly used by Engine 2) falls apart while responding to fire
June 10 Paterson Daily Press
July 1903: Engine 9 Button Steamer at fire scene: corner of Slater and Marshall Streets
February 12, 1904: Report of Chief Stagg on apparatus - Engine 9
Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
April 2, 1904: Alderman's Fire committee meeting - New Metropolitan Steamers arriving soon. Very similar to those of current Engine 1 and 5.
April 3 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
August 9, 1904: The two new first size American LaFrance Metropolitan Steamers of Engine 2 and 9 are tested on River Road. During the test one of horses of the supply wagon took an ember, got spooked and ran away with the wagon
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Paterson Pres
1904 First Size Metropolitan Steam Fire Engine shown bellow at the Main Street firehouse.
586 Main Street Firehouse, Metropolitan Steamer and 3 horse hitch
April 18, 1904: Annual company election
Paterson News Courtesy Dennis Morrison
May 31, 1904: AC Mills to operate out of Engine 9 quarters
Paterson Daily Press
August 5, 1904: Two new Metropolitan Steamers arrive and are sent to Engines 2 and 9
Paterson Daily Press
August 23, 1904: Chief does "tandem testing" with Metropolitan Steamers of Engine 2 and 9 at Railroad Avenue
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Paterson Daily Press
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November 4, 1904: While responding to simultaneously pulled Stations 451 and 453, a horse pulling E9 Hose Wagon stumbled and caused an incident
Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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November 10, 1904: A new hose wagon built locally (Sowerbutt) enters service.
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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November 10 Paterson Daily Press
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January 27, 1905: Hose from the Metropolitan steamer burst and causes damage (at Main and Ellison Street)
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
March 2, 1905: F/F brawl at Engine 9
Paterson Daily Press
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March 3 Paterson Daily Press
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March 31, 1905: Engine 9 tests new nozzle
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Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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April 20, 1905: Company Elections
Paterson Daily Press
January 30, 1906: FF John Kelly out with knee injured on duty.
Paterson Daily Press
January 31, 1906: Heroic winter rescue by Captain Allen at Morris Canal near Barclay Street
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Captain William Allen
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February 20, 1906: Station 183 Marshall and Slater Streets Incidents E9
Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison
March 3, 1906: Driver E9 FF injured falling off hose wagon
Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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July 6, 1906: Captain Allen transferred to Engine 7
Paterson Daily Press
September 18, 1906: Firefighter Matthew Flaherty falls and gets injured trying to board a moving hose wagon of Engine 9 as it responded to a fire on Jersey Street.
September 20 Paterson News
December 20, 1906: Noon - Truck 1 and Engine 9 has mishap responding to a Main Street fire
Paterson Daily Press
October 21, 1907: Night watch "cheating" issues discovered by Chief Stagg at Engine 9
Paterson Daily Press
October 26, 1907: Company Roster - Captain James O'Neill, Lieutenant John McGuirk, Engineer Edward Hepp, FFs Abram Perrins, William Slater, Charles Nolan, MJ Ryan, Dennis Toomey, John Chapman
October 27, 1907: From the PFD series published in the Guardian
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
Paterson Daily Press
1908 NY Sunday World photo of men outside firehouse - Standing left to right: Abraham Perrins, Micheal J Ryan, John McGurk, Edward Hepp, George Bott, Martin O'Rourke, Dennis Toomey, Edward J Moore. Seated: Captain James O'Neill, Lieutenant William Loughlin
NY Sunday World - also 1909 Ball Book
Colorized by Jim Eifler
May 14, 1908: Fire and Police Board meeting regarding issues at Main Street quarters of E9
May 16 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
1909: Company Captain was James O'Neill
Circa 1910: Company photo - steamer, harnesses and horse in background. F/F at right rear may be George Muth
Courtesy Vincent Marchese
March 7, 1910: Truck 1 and Engine 9 Hose Wagon collide at Main and Grand Streets responding to Station 162 for a fire at Roger's Locomotive factory
Courtesy Dennis Mprrison
Courtesy Dennis Mprrison
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Courtesy Dennis Mprrison
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Courtesy Dennis Mprrison
Paterson Guardian report of accident
August 20, 1910: FF Bott to b chrged with verbally assaulting officers
Paterson Press
October 19, 1911: Horses run wild
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May 2, 1912: FF Edward Moore (a 1938 Supreme Sacrifice) calms nervous horses at Martin Street fire scene
September 24, 1912: Engine 9 fills water tank at Lambert Castle
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
May 9, 1913: Motorization of Engine 9 - Christie Front Drive tractor to be added to steamer. Upon its return it will be transferred to Engine 4 on Slater Street
May 10 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
May 23, 1913: Horse drawn First Size Nott Steam Fire Engine (former Engine Company 4) with a First Size Sowerbutt Hose Wagon. Engine 9's Metropolitan Steamer motorized and sent to Engine 4 on Slater Street
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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May11, 1913: Article # 10 in the Chronicle Series on PFD Companies - Engine Co. 9
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
Left to right: Front row - Captain James O'Neill, Richard Healy, Thoms McGill, Lieutenant Martin Gleason. Second row - Edward Hepp, John Chapman, Edward Tuohey, Engineer Thomas Donohue. Hose wagon is in rear
August 1, 1914: Annual report of the Chief Engineer - Engine Company 9
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October 1914: Apparatus ordered overhauled by Fire and Police Commission on July 14, 1914. Steamer then shipped and an Continental Boiler by Ahrens Fox was installed. Returned to service in October.
July 14, Morning Call - Courtesy Jim Eifler
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Below is the 1915 Sanborn's Map of Paterson: Note that the exact address of Engine 9 quarters is actually 586A Main Street. Width of property is 34 feet and it lists the building as housing 10 men, 5 horses, one first sized steam fire engine and a hose wagon with a universal nozzle, 1200 feet of hose and two 3 gallon chemical tanks. Note the building to the left of front door was a saloon.
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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Captain James O'Neill
Engineer Corneilius Prince Richard Healey Daniel Stevenson Horace Warr David Quackenbush |
Lieutenant Martin Gleason
Engineer Thomas McGill Edward Moore Richard Caulfield William Milnes David Johnstone (Supreme Sacrifice) |
August 5, 1916: PFD reports motorization (electric powered) of department. Engine 9 to get combination chemical and hose wagon to get a tractor for steamer
1917: Commercial Truck Company Electric Tractor (Serial # 7099) attached to steamer and the Combination Chemical and Hose Wagon (Serial # 7099).
1918 Ball Book Roster
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Captain James O'Neill
Lieutenant Martin E. Gleason Engineer Cornelius Prince Thomas McGill Richard Haley Horace J. Warr Daniel J. Stevens |
Edward J. Moore
Richard Caufield David Johnstone (Supreme Sacrifice) Harold Lane Arsene Nunnink David Quackenbush (in US Armed Forces) |
1925 Contract to repair firehouse roof
1929: City of Paterson Manual lists Captains of Engine 9 as James Campbell and Philip Hartley
1930 Company Roster
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A Shift
Captain Hobart Strathearn (future Chief) William McCorry David Quackenbush Daniel Stevens Stephen Walls Joseph Carr |
B Shift
Captain Philip Hartley Charles Willard Harold Lane Edward Christensen Richard Kelly James Kelvie |
November 13, 1930: Ahrens Fox Model N-S-4, 1000 GPM pumper (Serial 3390). Note the two red warning lights on top of hosebed which distinguishes this Fox apparatus from Engine 7's Fox. Suction reducer is on the left.
1935: Men of Engine Company 9 A Shift: William McCorry, David Quackenbush, Daniel Stevens, Captain Hobart Strathearn, Stephen Walls, Joseph Carr, Richard Haley.
1935: Men of Engine Company 9 B Shift: Captain Philip Hartley, Charles Willard, John Hill, Harold Lane, Edward Christensen, Richard Kelley
from personal photo album of Captain Hartley - courtesy of his grandson Bill Tompkins
March 3, 1938: Engine 9 involved in accident and strikes pedestrian while responding to Station 266 (Montclair Avenue & Sussex Street)
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Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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On May 5, 1938 the Ahrens Fox started to respond to an alarm (Station 522) but only made it 20 feet outside of the quarters when it was hit by a Main Street trolley car owned by public service. All of them men were knocked off the truck and the apparatus was badly damaged. 17 citizens were also injured. It had to be shipped back to the Ahrens Fox factory in Cincinnati for repairs. It returned to service on August 8, 1938. For full details see the Notable Events Page.
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CREW OF ENGINE 9
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Dayspring Collection
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Dayspring Collection
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Dayspring Collection
November 30, 1938: Mt Carmel Guild is thankful to E9 F/F for their annual Christmas appeal
Paterson News
1940 Paterson Evening News Golden Jubilee - Engine Company 9 Roster
Dayspring Collection
October 1942: E9 has party for firefighters entering the service: Robert Campbell and Auxiliary FF Doug Laux
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Doug Laux
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October 9 Paterson News
1944 Annual Report Roster
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A Shift
Captain William McCorry Daniel Stevens David Quackenbush Meyer Cohen |
B Shift
Captain Philip Hartley James Kehoe Edward Christensen Harold Lane Richard Kelley |
Fox being polished in its bay at the Main Street firehouse in 1948
Drilling in quarters
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House Maintenance
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Responding out of quarters: Budd wheels with external lug nuts
1949 Ball book photo of Engine Company 9 "A Shift" Captain Albert Captor, John Walton, Edward Moore and Daniel Stevens
1949 Ball book photo of Engine Company 9 "B Shift" Captain Meyer Cohen, James Burns, Ed Christensen and Louis Rotella
July 15, 1950: Paterson Evening News lists early 1950 Rosters of Engine 9
September 11, 1950: Missing "Spot" the company Dalmatian
Paterson News
August 28, 1953: ENGINE COMPANY 9 - From the Morning Call Series of PFD Companies. For more details on Engine 9 during Volunteer Era CLICK HERE
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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August 28, 1953 Morning Call and 1954 FMBA Ball Book
Captain Meyer Cohen, Daniel Stevens, Edward Moore, Douglas Laux, Captain James W. Burns, Edward Christensen, Joseph Cucci, Fank McEntyre, John Walton, Captain Albert Capter. Note the two red warning lights above the hosebed - the only PFD Ahrens Fox to have that.
January 23, 1958: 1953 Seagrave 750 GPM pumper (Serial # G3790) formerly used by Engine Company 4
August 20, 1958: Station 451 (Main and Market Sts) 6:20 PM 279 Main Street (at Smith St)
2nd alarm Gross Furniture Store. Engine 9 Seagrave (a second alarm company)
2nd alarm Gross Furniture Store. Engine 9 Seagrave (a second alarm company)
October 10, 1960: Engine 9 Seagrave pumper seen at 6:30 AM 185-187 Marshall Street & 79 21st Avenue 2nd alarm fire
Winter 1960-61: "B" Shift shoveling hydrants (3 major storms that winter). Left to right: Captain Albert Horomanski, FF Joseph Forbes, Lieutenant John Walton, FF John Whalen and FF Harry Stryker carrying newly used two way radio.
Courtesy Joseph Forbes
November 13, 1963: Mayor announces that the city to sell two and lease one of the older firehouses. One of those to be sold are the about to be unused quarters of Engine 9 on Main Street after the company moves to the new Southside firehouse.
Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
January 27, 1964: The Main Street Firehouse closes and Engine Company 9 moves to the new Southside Firehouse at 130 Getty Avenue.
circa 1980s: View long after closing --
