77 Prospect Street
The firehouse at 77 Prospect Street (between Ellison and Market Streets) opened in 1856 to quarter Washington Engine Company 3 and Eagle Hook and Ladder Company 1 of the Volunteer Department. In 1873 Eagle H & L 1 moved to Jackson Street and Germania Hook and Ladder Company 2 moved into the Prospect Street quarters.
Below is a photo of how the former firehouse appears in 2015
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1980s Dayspring photo
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.
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Older map of Prospect Street |
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The transition from a totally volunteer department to partially paid or "Call System" occurred on March 20, 1890. At that time Washington Engine Company Three became Engine Company 3 and Germania Hook and Ladder Company 2 became Truck Company 2.
Chronological Listing of the Events and Apparatus at Prospect Street
March 20, 1890: Engine Company 3 used the apparatus of Washington Fire Engine Company 3, specifically a second-class double pump Amoskeag steam engine purchased in 1881. It also had a Four-wheel hose cart built by Silsby Manufacturing Company which carried 700 feet of hose.
The initial Roster of Engine Company 3 was
Captain William Ford
Engineer Harry Reid, Drivers Leonard Hartley and Daniel Leonard
Callmen: Edward Kiernan, James Irwin, Thomas G. Murphy, Richard Cubby, Neil Jordan, Jmes B Healey, Morris Rossle, John Campbell
Captain William Ford
Engineer Harry Reid, Drivers Leonard Hartley and Daniel Leonard
Callmen: Edward Kiernan, James Irwin, Thomas G. Murphy, Richard Cubby, Neil Jordan, Jmes B Healey, Morris Rossle, John Campbell
March 20, 1890: Truck Company 2 had an apparatus built by the Reading Fire Apparatus Company in 1881 which carried one 65-foot extension, one 35-foot, two 30-foot, one 26-foot, one 19-foot, one 12-foot, one 9-foot and one 6-foot roof ladder; two 5-gallon extinguishers, poles, hooks, ropes, etc.
The initial Roster of Engine Truck 2 was:
Captain John Weber
Tillermen John Specht and George Pfitzmeyer and Driver Martin Brandt
Callmen: Gustave Specht, Samuel Close, George Muth, Albert Mercier, Jospeh Miller, Thomas Armstrong, Albert Weber
November 17, 1890: Captain William Ford of Engine 3 died and was replaced by the just promoted Christopher Cubby
April 1, 1895: Chief Engineer Annual Report
Manpower Assignment for Engine 3
Manpower Assignment for Engine 3
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Badge Name Rank
25 William Cook Captain 26 Charles Wiley Engineer 27 Richard Cubby Driver 28 Daniel Leonard Driver 36 Henry Kelly Hoseman |
Badge Name Rank
29 Binard Sherlock Callman 30 James Irwin Callman 31 Thomas G Murphy Callman 32 Joseph Mellor Callman 33 George Wassmer Callman 34 Thomas Armstrong Callman 35 Morris Rozell Callman |
Apparatus: 1881 Second size Amoskeag Steamer in good condition Four wheeled Silsby hose cart with 700' feet of hose in good condition
April 1, 1895: Chief Engineer Annual Report
Manpower Assignment for Truck 2
Manpower Assignment for Truck 2
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Badge Name Rank
120 John Weber Captain 123 John Vesey Tillerman 122 John Grotty Laddernan 124 Adam Banghardt Driver |
Badge Name Rank
125 Gustav Specht Callman 126 Charles Fahrenbach Callman 127 Samuel Close Callman 128 George Muth Callman 129 Albert Mercier Callman 130 Felix McCann Callman |
Apparatus: 1881 Truck built by Reading Fire Apparatus carrying one 65 foot extension ladder, one 35 foot, one 30 foot, one 26 foot, one 19 foot, one 12 foot, one 9 foot, one 6 foot ladder and two six gallon extinguishers, poles, hooks and pipes.
September 24, 1895: Engine Company 3 (men and Amoskeag apparatus) relocates to the Firehouse at 298 Tyler Street (which had been housing Engine Company 7). Truck 2 remains at Prospect Street quarters. Prospect Street firehouse no longer quarters an engine company.
November 15, 1895: Department goes fully paid - callmen eliminated
November 15, 1895: the Fully Paid Department begins
First Manpower Assignment for Truck 2 (Badge #s)
First Manpower Assignment for Truck 2 (Badge #s)
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Captain John Weber #120
Tillerman John Crotty #122 Ladderman Adam Banghart #123 Driver William J. Post #124 Ladderman Felix McCann #126 |
Ladderman Josiah Barton #125
Ladderman Morris Rozelle #127 Ladderman George Pfitzenmeyer #128 (detailed as Chief Stagg's Driver) |
Captain John Weber
April 1897: Roster with badge #s listed in Annual Report: (new name in italics)
No changes
April 1, 1898: Roster in Annual Report: (changes from 1897 in italics)
No changes
April 1, 1899: Roster with badge #s listed in Annual Report: (new name in italics)
John Grotty is now a tillerman; Louis Haaser #123 a driver; Ladderman are Robert Dunphy #124, Charles Harrison #125, Morris Rozelle #127
February 10, 1902: Engine Company 1 relocated to 77 Prospect Street because its quarters at 112 Van Houten Street were severely damaged in the Great Paterson Conflagration.
1903: Engine Company 1 returned to its rebuilt quarters at 112 Van Houten Street.
1903: Engine Company 1 returned to its rebuilt quarters at 112 Van Houten Street.
1903: Truck Company 2 received a 75 foot Seagrave Aerial with a Hose Tower attachment pictured below in front of the Firehouse
1903: Aerial in operation at Broomhead Mill fire
Eifler Collection
1908: Men of Hook and Ladder 2 - Standing left to right: Leonard Chadwick, Louis Haster, John Gorman, Charles Harrison, John Anderson, George Pfitzmeyer, Peter J Breen. Sitting - Lieutenant William Marshall, Captain John Weber
NY Sunday World - also 1909 Ball Book
1909: Captain was John Weber
July 2, 1910: Truck 2 aerial at work at River and Bridge Street mill fire
May 11, 1911: A contract was signed for the Combination Ladder Company to supply 90 horsepower Seagrave motorized tractor aerial. The company failed to deliver and the order was cancelled. A new contract was given to C.J. Cross Company which delivered the tractor on November 15, 1912.
Newspaper March 19, 1912 - Courtesy Jim Eifler
November 12, 1912: Firehouse put up for auction
In December 1912 the Truck motorized with a Christie Front Drive Tractor and relocated to the new central fire headquarters at 115 Van Houten Street. The Prospect Street Firehouse was closed. During 1913, the house was sold for $6,700.
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