This firehouse at 72 Jackson Street (between Green and Slater Streets) was built in 1873 to house Eagle Hook and Ladder Company 1 (organized March 22, 1839) of the Volunteer Fire Department. In July, 1880, the house, apparatus and furniture were burned up and their house was immediately re-built in the same location.
In 1888 the Fire Department was reorganized by a special committee consisting of Aldermen 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.
In 1888 the Fire Department was reorganized by a special committee consisting of Aldermen 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.
1915 Sanborn Map
Chronological Listing of Events and Apparatus at 72 Jackson Street
September 20, 1889: Purchase of aerial ladder - just prior to establishment of Paid Department
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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March 20, 1890: The transition from a totally volunteer department to partially paid "Call System" occurred and Eagle Hook and Ladder Company One became Truck Company 1.
Apparatus: 1891 Truck built by Babcock Fire Extinguisher Company of Chicago which carried one 85 foot extension ladder, one 25 foot, one 20 foot, one 14 foot, one 12 foot, 2 three gallon extinguishers, poles, hooks, ropes, etc. Also a Rawson water attachment with 50 feet of 3 inch hose. A three horse hitch was also purchased.
Initial Roster: Truck Company 1
Captain Joseph Kearney
Tillerman Thomas Elvin and John Vesey, Driver Davis McAllister
Callmen: James Jones, Richard Duffy (Supreme Sacrifice), Joseph Hutton, William Lendrim, James O.Neil, Timothy Phalon, William Stewart, Edward Kilpatrick
Captain Joseph Kearney
Tillerman Thomas Elvin and John Vesey, Driver Davis McAllister
Callmen: James Jones, Richard Duffy (Supreme Sacrifice), Joseph Hutton, William Lendrim, James O.Neil, Timothy Phalon, William Stewart, Edward Kilpatrick
April 1, 1895: Chief Engineer Annual Report
Manpower Assignment for Truck 1
Manpower Assignment for Truck 1
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Badge Name Rank
109 Joseph Kearney Captain 110 Thomas Elvin Tillerman 111 Martin Brandt Driver 156 Michael Ryan Ladderman 102 William Marshall Ladderman |
Badge Name Rank
113 James Jones Callman 114 Thomas Hardiman Callman 115 Joseph Hutton Callman 116 Thomas Fanning Callman 117 Richard Moore Callman 118 Timothy Phalon Callman 119 William J. Stewart Callman |
November 15, 1895: Department goes fully paid - callmen eliminated
November 15, 1895: the Fully Paid Department begins:
First Manpower Assignment for Truck 1 (Badge #s)
First Manpower Assignment for Truck 1 (Badge #s)
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Captain Joseph Kearney #110
Driver Martin Brandt #111 Tillerman Thomas Elvin #112 Ladderman James Thoms #113 |
Ladderman William Marshall #114
Ladderman John Madden #115 Ladderman Robert Dunphy #116 Ladderman William Stannard #117 (Detailed as Assistant Chief Driver) |
Captain Joseph Kearney
March 20, 1890: An 1889 Babcock Aerial Turntable Truck built by Babcock Fire Extinguishing Manufacturing Company of Chicago, which carried one 85-foot extension aerial ladder, one 55-foot extension ladder, one 38-foot, one 30-foot, one 25-foot, one 20-foot, one 14-foot, one 12-foot ; two 3-gallon extinguishers, poles, hooks, ropes, etc. A Rawson Water Tower Attachment was added.
September 1904: New 75' LaFrance Aerial (shown below). On the side is Captain Edward Cusack wearing his summer hat.
Captain Ed Cusack on side wearing straw hat. Jackson Street Firehouse
1908: La France Aerial of Truck 1 on parade (Van Houten Street)
1908: Men of Hook and Ladder 1: Standing left-right: Luke Cannon, Eugene Murphy, James Downey, Edward Singland, Leonard Hartley, Michael Slattery, John Heinzelmann. Sitting Lieutenant Felix McCann, Captain Edward Cusack.
NY Sunday World - also 1909 Ball Book
1909: Captain: Edward Cusack
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 of Dennis Morrison
Courtesy of Dennis Morrison
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Courtesy of Dennis Morrison
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Courtesy Dennis Morrison
Paterson Guardian report of accident
Courtesy Jim Eifler
September 18, 1911: Discipline issues at Truck 1
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June 8, 1913: Chronicle Series on PFD Companies - Truck Co. 1
Left to tight: Front Row - Lieutenant Felix McCann, Luke Cannon, John Lynch, and Captain Edward Cusack. Rear - Hubert Croughan, James Downey, Edward Singland and Joseph Dolan
August 1, 1913: Christie Front Drive Tractor attached to LaFrance aerial
August 5, 1913: Station 14 (Market Street & Railroad Avenue)
6:15 AM Market Street (at the RR) Erie RR Storage House
First run for newly motorized Truck 1
6:15 AM Market Street (at the RR) Erie RR Storage House
First run for newly motorized Truck 1
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Captain Edward Cusack, appointed March 1, 1896. Was also a trustee of the Pension fund |
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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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Captain Edward Cusack
Luke Cannon Hubert Croughan James Downey Frank Von Weber |
Lieutenant Felix McCann
John Lynch Edward Singland Frank Shane Joseph Dolan |
1918 Ball Book Roster
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Captain Edward Cusack
Lieutenant Felix McCann Hubert Croughan James Downey Frank Von Weberen |
John P. Lynch
Edward Singland Frank Shane Joseph Dolan |
~1919 - 75' Aerial Truck [Electric (battery) powered] built by the Commercial Truck Company of Philadelphia (Serial #19026). This replaced the Christie front Drive Tractor LaFrance aerial.
March 17, 1925: Truck 1 in serious accident on Clay Street
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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1930 Company Roster
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A Shift
Captain Frank Dowdall Edward McEwen Frank Dalton Paul Shaw Arsene Nunick Frank Brocco |
B Shift
Captain William Van Kirk William Blanchfield Edward Walsh George Dorman Thomas Walsh Frederick Haycock |
December 28, 1931: A 1929 Ahrens Fox 85-6-1 aerial truck formerly used by Truck Company 2 (Serial # 2046). The apparatus is shown below on Jackson Street with Dalmatian on cab. The electric (battery) powered aerial went out of service. Note solid rubber tires on rear of tractor.
What does the 85-6-1 mean? They are Ahrens Fox Company codes: -1 means aerial ladder, -6 means a Fox tractor and 85 is the length in feet of the largest ladder
What does the 85-6-1 mean? They are Ahrens Fox Company codes: -1 means aerial ladder, -6 means a Fox tractor and 85 is the length in feet of the largest ladder
1935: Men of Truck Company 1 A Shift: Captain Frank Dowdall, Edward McEwan, Frank Dalton, Paul Shaw, Arsene Nunnick, Frank Brocco, James Kehoe
1936 Ball Book Photo
1935: Men of Truck Company 1 B Shift: Captain William Van Kirk, William Blanchfield, William Walsh, George Dorman, Edward Walsh
Truck 1 apparatus preparing to back up. Note a Vescey Searchlight has been added to drivers side of tractor. Firemen wearing "High Eagle" Helmets
(Anthony Natoli Collection)
1940 Paterson Evening News Golden Jubilee - Truck Company 1 Roster
Dayspring Collection
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1944 Annual Report Roster
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A Shift
Captain Frank Dowdall Edward McEwan Paul Shaw Frank Brocco Frank Dalton |
B Shift
Acting Captain William Blanchfield Aresene Nunnick George Dorman Charles Mins |
September 1, 1948: While parked in quarters the motor self-ignited and the rig was severely damaged in the fire. The department was forced to operate with only two Truck Companies. After repair aerial 2046 became a spare and was ultimately dismantled for parts in June 1953 and what was left sold on June 29, 1954. Below is the report of Acting Captain Edward McEwan
Dayspring Collection
1949 Ball book photo: Truck Company 1 "A shift" Captain Solomon Reines, Edward McEwan (tillerman), Frank Dalton, Paul Shaw, John Rankin.
1949 Ball book photo: Truck Company 1 "B Shift" Captain Charles Mina, Arsene Nunnick, Douglas Laux, George Dorman, John Whalen
Men with Dalmation: John Kedash at right
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(Anthony Natoli Collection)
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December 12, 1949: Truck 1 received a used 1929 Ahrens Fox 75-6-1 Aerial which was purchased for $600 (see receipt below) from Hastings on Hudson, NY. It was came with a windshield which was straight (not curved) across the top. In the photo it is pictured on the apron at the 23rd Avenue Firehouse.
Dayspring Collection
Dayspring Collection
1952: Truck Company 1 relocated to the 23rd Avenue firehouse and the Jackson Street quarters was closed.
April 14, 1953: Firehouse put up for sale
April 14, 1953: Firehouse put up for sale
Dayspring Collection