Early History - Volunteer Fire Department
The Fire Alarm System in Paterson dates back to the Volunteer days. In 1821 the Board of Fire Wardens employed two watchmen to patrol the streets at night and search for fires. Once a fire was discovered the rest of the firemen were summoned by large noisemakers called rattles. Loud clacking sounds were made when the men twirled the rattle in their hands. The first improvement in this system was the muffin bell. These were composed of two brass saucer shaped halves with a clapper between them attached to a turned wooden handle. By swinging the handle and bell back and forth, the watchmen could create loud clanging sounds. As the town enlarged, persons living far from the center of town had trouble hearing rattles and muffin bells.
Rattle -- Dayspring Collection
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Muffin Bell -- Dayspring Collection
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The 1880 Annual Report mentioned that he fire department telegraph, under the management of the superintendent, was in good condition and had generally done its work satisfactorily. But event with the utmost care on the part of the superintendent, failures would occur, which might be attributed to the wires of the department being in collision with other boxes. New signal boxes were from time to time added in localities needing them, as frequency of alarm stations enhanced the chances for early alarms.
In 1831, Church Bells were called upon to summon firemen. The first one used was St. Paul's Episcopal Church located at Market and Washington Streets (at the site of the City Hall). Over the next 50 years tower bells were located at:
- Second reformed church at the corner of Water and Temple streets
- First Baptist church at the corner of Van Houten and Washington streets
- First Presbyterian church at the corner of Ward and Main streets
- No. 6 public school at the corner Summer and Ellison streets
- No. 8 engine house, corner Wayne avenue and Liberty street.
1835: Establishment of a Voluntary Night Patrols
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The Gamewell Fire Alarm telegraph was introduced in 1872-73, and went into service March 1st, 1873, with twenty-three street boxes, three tower bell strikers, six gongs, one three-circuit repeater and seventeen miles of wire. The first alarm ever received via telegraph was Box 25 for a fire at Riverside Hotel. Owing to the large number of persons who congregated at almost every fire and hampered the firemen in their work, it was decided to discontinue ringing the tower bells. They were disconnected on August 28, 1895 with Box 451 being the last sounded. The first alarm that was sent over the "still" system, meaning the big bells were not sounded) was box 651 on September 6, 1895. |
Passaic County Historical Society
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James F. Zeluff
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Edward Gore was the first superintendent of fire alarm. His successors were Edward Swift, William Hobson and James F. Zeluff. Swift had served as Chief Engineer (1865) and Zeluff as Assistant Chief (1883).
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A citizen could summon the fire department by opening the fire box with a key and pulling a lever. The keys for the boxes were kept in nearby buildings, meaning a person had to obtain the key before sounding the alarm. The newspaper article below explains how to use the street boxes!
At the end of the century alarm boxes were made that could be opened without keys. Once the signal reached the Fire Alarm Office located at the 10 Hotel Street Firehouse, an operator would transmit it to the firehouses or bells located in the Chiefs homes. By counting the number of times the bell was struck or sounded the firemen knew where to respond.
Within firehouses were gongs, many encased within oak cases, to sound the alarm. Legend has it that fire horses actually memorized the more common "boxes" (signals) and knew where to go without being directed. There were mechanisms ("jokers") in the firehouses which automatically opened the stable doors when an alarm sounded allowing the horses to run to the front of the apparatus immediately.
Paid Deparment - Fire Alarm Telegraph
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James Zeluff was superintendent when the department went professional in 1890. The 1893 Rules and Regulations stipulated that the Superintendent of Fire Alarm Telegraph.
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First Superintendent of Fire Alarm of Paid Department: James Zeluff
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any interruption in the working of the lines or apparatus whereby there shall be a delay in giving or receiving an alarm of fire unless the same is immediately repaired.
- In such report he shall state what amount of delay will occur in repairing the same, and when repaired he shall see that the chief engineer has notice of the fact.
- Lineman. — The Fire Alarm Telegraph Lineman shall be under the supervision of the superintendent of fire alarm telegraph.
Location of Bell Strikers: was the way to summon the callmen
- Second reformed church at the corner of Water and Temple streets
- First Baptist church at the corner of Van Houten and Washington streets
- First Presbyterian church at the corner of Ward and Main streets
- No. 6 public school at the corner Summer and Ellison streets
- No. 8 engine house, corner Wayne Avenue and Liberty street.
1890: The page below is from the 1893 Fire service of Paterson book showing some of the box numbers and locations
17th Annual Report of the Superintendent of Fire Alarm Telegraph
for Year Ending March 31, 1895
for Year Ending March 31, 1895
5 Bell Strikers still exist
16 engine House Gongs
57 small tappers
During the year there were 96 bell alarms: 3 were seconds, 1 third and 1 General
1 Horse and 1 wagon
Advised to take the gongs from callmen houses off main circuit
Advised connecting telephones in Engine Houses be connected to fire alarm central office
16 engine House Gongs
57 small tappers
During the year there were 96 bell alarms: 3 were seconds, 1 third and 1 General
1 Horse and 1 wagon
Advised to take the gongs from callmen houses off main circuit
Advised connecting telephones in Engine Houses be connected to fire alarm central office
1915 Vote for Two Platoon System on November 2 1915. A small folding pamphlet listing Paterson Fire Alarm Boxes - (2.5 by 5.5 inches). Dayspring Collection
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1918 Ball Book Roster --- Fire Alarm Headquarters
Superintendent James F. Zeluff
John Beirne
Henry A. Abbott
James Duffy
James Fitzsimmons
John Chapman
Superintendent James F. Zeluff
John Beirne
Henry A. Abbott
James Duffy
James Fitzsimmons
John Chapman
There have been four Superintendents of Fire Alarm in the paid department starting with James Zeluff. Following him were Daniel Moore, Joseph Gaugan and Donald Walker. The position was eliminated in the 1970s.
Fancy oak cased gong photo courtesy of the Moore Family: ? origin from quarters at 298 Tyler Street (176 12th Avenue) that housed both Engine Company 7 (1890-1895) and then 3 (1895-1962). Looks to be a Gamewell Electro-Mechanical Excelsior Bronze gong.
Moore Photo
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Dayspring Photo
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The gong below was installed in the new Fire Headquarters at 115 Van Houten Street and served until 1977. In the center of the glass is a hole in which the wind up key is inserted
Note wind up key protruding thru glass door -- Dayspring Collection
January 11, 1951: Air Raid Siren Instructions from Acting Chief Kennedy (from Journal of Engine Company 1 at 115 Van Houten Street. (Cold War Era)
To All Company Commanders: From James Kennedy Acting Chief
Subject: Information relative to Air Raids
Effective immediately; when 8 straight blows are received on company gong, the company commander shall immediately sound the warning siren on the roof of company quarters in the following manner "Three minutes of fluctuating Notes on siren."
Subject: Information relative to Air Raids
Effective immediately; when 8 straight blows are received on company gong, the company commander shall immediately sound the warning siren on the roof of company quarters in the following manner "Three minutes of fluctuating Notes on siren."
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Upon receiving 8 blows, followed by 8 blows followed by 8 blows "(888)" on the company gong, it will be an "All Clear" signal and the company commander shall then sound the warning siren in the following manner - "Three - one minute steady blasts of the sirens - with two minutes of silence, between each blast"
This order will be effective until further notice by orders of James A Kennedy Acting Chief of Department |
James Kennedy had become acting chief 9 hours before issuing this order (sudden death of Chief James troy)
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Dayspring Collection
January 13, 1951: The first test of the gong/air raid system performed and 8 taps sounded at 11:59AM. The 8-8-8 all-clear signal on gong received 12:20 PM.
Main Gamewell Gong at 115 Van Houten Street Watch desk - Dayspring Collection
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Engine 4 on Slater Street Watch Desk 1960s
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1960s era photo of the Watch desk at 115 Van Houten Street. Sitting at desk. The firemen are (L-R) John DeMattia, Joe Forbes and Ed Hancock. Sitting at desk is Tom "Tomahawk" Meneely (McNeely) who worked at Paterson sewer department
Courtesy Joseph Forbes
Four rounds are transmitted for a street box or a city box within a building. If a still alarm requires a full box assignment, two rounds are tapped out and the first due company is notified by phone. Second, third and 4th alarm signals are 2-2, 3-3, 4-4 followed by the box number. A general alarm is ten consecutive taps followed by the box number. The time signal at 8:00 AM, 12:15 PM and 6:00 PM is four consecutive taps.
A first alarm response was 3 engine companies, a truck company and a Battalion Chief with the exception of several Master Boxes (hospitals, schools, etc) to which 4 engine companies and 2 trucks responded. A second alarm response is two engines and one truck, a third and fourth alarm two engines each and a fifth (general alarm) is 4 engines and one truck. Notice in the 1952 alarm book below that company response is listed in numerical order whereas in the 1961 version, companies are listed as first, second and third due.
A first alarm response was 3 engine companies, a truck company and a Battalion Chief with the exception of several Master Boxes (hospitals, schools, etc) to which 4 engine companies and 2 trucks responded. A second alarm response is two engines and one truck, a third and fourth alarm two engines each and a fifth (general alarm) is 4 engines and one truck. Notice in the 1952 alarm book below that company response is listed in numerical order whereas in the 1961 version, companies are listed as first, second and third due.
1952 Pamphlet - Dayspring Collection
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1961 Pamphlet - Dayspring Collection
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1952 FMBA Booklet
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1961 Version
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Note the "19" stations above. The 1925 letter below is from the Temple Hill Civic Association requesting a box for the corner of North 9th and Clinton Streets. Their request was fulfilled.
Dayspring Collection
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June 30, 1977: The old bell alarm system was replaced by the EVRS system. The last alarm transmitted over the old system was station 623 for a car fire on 5th Avenue. All of the old fire alarm boxes were replaced with yellow boxes inside of which is a telephone. This enabled a citizen to speak directly with a fire alarm operator. The dispatcher then communicates with the different firehouses directly over a speaker system. bells were no loner sounded. |
Dayspring Collection
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1977: FAO office with new EVRS - Andrew "Drew" Taccinneli, James Walsh. Standing is Captain Earl Plavier
1977: Captain Bob Gabriel - Box is at Main and van Houten Streets
Chief's officers had alarm bells installed in their homes. Top photo displays the wind-up key
Dayspring Collection
Hancock Collection
January 30, 1989 - Chief's order notification of Alarm dispatching to be done via computers
The Evolving Alarm Systems
In the early days of the paid department, there were 8 Engine companies, one chemical company and 3 Truck Companies. By the time a third alarm was sounded almost all of the companies were involved. As the department expanded to 12 Engine Companies by 1912 and 13 by 1928 4th and Genral Alarms became possible. Of course by the 1980s the numbers of companies started reducing again. What terminology is now used:
Currently, the term General Alarm is never used except "after the fire." Technically, a 3rd alarm now depletes all Paterson Companies; mutual aid companies start to cover vacated firehouses. If the fire is still "doubtful" at the time, the Chief may establish a staging area & have the next Engine Co(s) & Ladder Co report to the designated staging area. When that happens a 4th Alarm is transmitted. If the staged companies are eventually sent to the fire scene, a 5th Alarm will be transmitted & the 5th alarm companies will be sent to staging to replace the 4th alarm companies. However unlike earlier days, no on scene Chief requests a "General Alarm."
The problem with the alarms terminology is that some departments do not consider it a 4-alarm fire if the 4th alarm companies are assigned to the staging area. They only "count" the alarm if they were assigned to the fire scene. So is no uniform way of counting the # of alarms, and every department counts it differently. The other problem is the staging area is used depending on the status of the fire. It could be the same 3-alarm fire, but if it does not appear to be "darkening-down", they may stage the 4th alarm companies. If the fire scene is not darkening they will not transmit a 4th alarm & stage any companies.
The general alarm may be a term used for reports and for press releases, but it is not used when requesting additional companies. Thus current understanding of the term General Alarm is when all Paterson Companies are depleted and mutual aid companies are deployed to the fire.
But what about the old days when alarms were still transmitted by bells?
When a street box was pulled by a citizen, 4 "rounds" would sound through out the department. For example Box 195 if pulled would make the gongs sound "195" 4 times - In each round the bells would chime once - slight pause - then 9 times - slight pause then 5 times. That sequence would occur 4 times in succession. If a citizen called in the fire in that area by phone Fire Alarm would dispatch the furst due company and then transmit "195" only two times.
What happened if a second alarm was needed:
2nd alarm - bell would chime 2-2 then the station #
3rd alarm - bell would chime 3-3 then the station #
4th alarm - bell would chime 4-4 then the station #
General - and they did not occur very often in the old days - the bell wound ring ten times before the station was sounded
In the era after radios (1950s) extra alarms were called for by the commanding chief on scene or his aide (when they still had them). Technically for a conflagration a captain could request an extra alarm but it almost never happened. Prior to radios the commanding chief went to the fire box itself and using a telegraph key built into all boxes would manually transmit 2-2 or 3-3 or 4-4 or ten clicks and then pull the box
Currently, the term General Alarm is never used except "after the fire." Technically, a 3rd alarm now depletes all Paterson Companies; mutual aid companies start to cover vacated firehouses. If the fire is still "doubtful" at the time, the Chief may establish a staging area & have the next Engine Co(s) & Ladder Co report to the designated staging area. When that happens a 4th Alarm is transmitted. If the staged companies are eventually sent to the fire scene, a 5th Alarm will be transmitted & the 5th alarm companies will be sent to staging to replace the 4th alarm companies. However unlike earlier days, no on scene Chief requests a "General Alarm."
The problem with the alarms terminology is that some departments do not consider it a 4-alarm fire if the 4th alarm companies are assigned to the staging area. They only "count" the alarm if they were assigned to the fire scene. So is no uniform way of counting the # of alarms, and every department counts it differently. The other problem is the staging area is used depending on the status of the fire. It could be the same 3-alarm fire, but if it does not appear to be "darkening-down", they may stage the 4th alarm companies. If the fire scene is not darkening they will not transmit a 4th alarm & stage any companies.
The general alarm may be a term used for reports and for press releases, but it is not used when requesting additional companies. Thus current understanding of the term General Alarm is when all Paterson Companies are depleted and mutual aid companies are deployed to the fire.
But what about the old days when alarms were still transmitted by bells?
When a street box was pulled by a citizen, 4 "rounds" would sound through out the department. For example Box 195 if pulled would make the gongs sound "195" 4 times - In each round the bells would chime once - slight pause - then 9 times - slight pause then 5 times. That sequence would occur 4 times in succession. If a citizen called in the fire in that area by phone Fire Alarm would dispatch the furst due company and then transmit "195" only two times.
What happened if a second alarm was needed:
2nd alarm - bell would chime 2-2 then the station #
3rd alarm - bell would chime 3-3 then the station #
4th alarm - bell would chime 4-4 then the station #
General - and they did not occur very often in the old days - the bell wound ring ten times before the station was sounded
In the era after radios (1950s) extra alarms were called for by the commanding chief on scene or his aide (when they still had them). Technically for a conflagration a captain could request an extra alarm but it almost never happened. Prior to radios the commanding chief went to the fire box itself and using a telegraph key built into all boxes would manually transmit 2-2 or 3-3 or 4-4 or ten clicks and then pull the box
Fire Alarm Offices
Over time the fire alarm office had the following locations: Fire Headquarters on Hotel Street and Hose House (Bridge & Tyler Street: housed signaling equipment), Paterson City Hall, Fire Headquarters at 115 Van Houten Street, the Municipal Complex at 111 Broadway, and the Northside Firehouse
The glass enclosed device is a "repeater"
City Hall - James Duffy at right
From 1909 Pension Fund Ball Book - Appointment dates - Zeluff is misspelled
1909 Ball Book Photo: L-R James Zeluff, Joseph Chapman, Harry Abbott, John Burns, James Duffy
An older Superintendent Zeluff seen at left with straw hat. Lineman James Duffy at right. Large repeater in center.
1935 Photo: Fire Alarm detail: J Brady, J Downey, J Chapman, J Fitzsimmons
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Daniel Moore was appointed as a lineman to Police and Fire telegraph May 21, 1920 and became Superintendent of Fire Alarm on February 16, 1922. At that time they had 253 Fire Alarm boxes, 108 Police Boxes and 108 Police flashlights. Notice the unique hat badge. Served as Sergeant in US Army September 8, 1917 thru September 1918 |
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1944 Annual Report of Chief Engineer:
Superintendent Fire Alarm: Daniel F. Moore
James Downey (appointed July 1, 1905)
James Brady (appointed November 1, 1919)
Hubert O'Connor (appointed April 1, 1920)
Alonze Space (appointed July 1, 1923)
Thomas Walsh (appointed March 16, 1926)
Superintendent Fire Alarm: Daniel F. Moore
James Downey (appointed July 1, 1905)
James Brady (appointed November 1, 1919)
Hubert O'Connor (appointed April 1, 1920)
Alonze Space (appointed July 1, 1923)
Thomas Walsh (appointed March 16, 1926)
1939 Ball Book
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In 1951, Fire Alarm was still in City Hall. They had eight dispatchers, all first grade firemen. Fire alarm had a store room t the Valley of the Rocks and a repair shop in old school 5 on Totowa Avenue. There were 206 Street boxes and 31 building boxes located in public buildings. Response to street boxes is 3 engine companies, one truck company and a battalion chief. Some boxes inn the business and factory districts call for 4 engine companies a truck, a battalion chief and a deputy chief. All hospital boxes get 4 engine companies, two truck companies on a first alarm and two chiefs.
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1954 Ball book photos: Fire Alarm (Police and Fire Telegraph) at City Hall - L-R: James Brady, Captain John Holley, William Blanchfield, Joseph Recca, Edward Cusack, David McGrady, Charles, McGhee, John Mial.
L-R: Frank Delmonico, Harry Gourley, Daniel Weslh, Joseph Gaughan, Acting Superintendent John Dougherty, Donald Walker, Vincent Scarmozza.
1959: Fire Alarm Office moves to 115 Van Houten Street Fire Headquarters
Hancock Collection
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March 16, 1961: Charles A. Baumann was appointed to FAO as a dispatcher. He retired on January 1, 1973 |
Charles Bauman
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July 13, 1964: Daniel Walsh who served in U.S. Air Force January 15, 1942 thru Nov. 12, 1945 received a temporary appointment on March 1, 1948 and a full appointment to the Police Telegraph on August 1, 1949 . He was appointed to PFD Telegraph July 13, 1964, and promoted to a senior lineman on November 1, 1968.He retired December 1, 1979
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Daniel Walsh
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Joseph Allen
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February 19, 1964: Joseph Allen Fire Alarm operator appointed: Served in US Army PFC May 1957 thru January 1958 |
1967 photo: Superintendent Donald Walker and linemen Alfred Romeo, Daniel Walsh, John J. Dougherty, Raymond Fitzpatrick and E Scerback
Donald E. Walker - Badge # 188 - U.S. Army - December 26, 1942 thru November 29, 1945 - Temporary Appointed Lineman Fire Alarm Telegraph February 1, 1948 - Permanent Appointment August 1, 1949 - Assistant Superintendent of Fire Alarm March 1, 1956 - Superintendent of Fire Alarm Jan. 16, 1957 - Retired June 1, 1977
Superintendent Donald Walker 1971
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Don Walker 1948 appointment photo
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Donald Walker 1971
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115 Van Houten Street Fire Alarm Switchboard
June 7, 1972: New directive re portable radio transmissions
September 28, 1976: Assistant Chief Katz assigned to Fire Alarm office
Assistant Chief Katz and firefighter Tony Ziza
115 Van Houten Street
September 16, 1977: Centrex Telephone System placed in service
111 Broadway Fire Alarm Office
May 25, 1984: Note the rapidly changing orders from the Chief's Office regarding radio call signals:
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December 28, 1984: "Hold" and "X" Boxes
Around 2000 Fire Alarm was reorganized into the Communications Division. On the air they are addressed as Fire Dispatch. There location is in the 2nd floor addition to the left of the bays on the Northside firehouse.
The state of the art Field Com Unit plays a major role at fire scenes when employed. It has a meeting room with a telescoping / zoom camera and TV screens etc.
The state of the art Field Com Unit plays a major role at fire scenes when employed. It has a meeting room with a telescoping / zoom camera and TV screens etc.
2016: Fire Alarm Office
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2016 Deputy Chief Ryan Murray Communications |
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Station 371 14th Avenue and East 27th Street
Restored by Firefighter (East Joliet, IL) & Gamewell Collector Ray Brandolino
Restored by Firefighter (East Joliet, IL) & Gamewell Collector Ray Brandolino
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Station 162 Market and Spruce Streets
Dayspring Collection
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Note in the bottom of the box, is a telegraph-like transmitter key: a chief officer could
transmit a second or third alarm manually
transmit a second or third alarm manually
1948 Gamewell Advertisement and a Paterson Gamewell Box circa 1948 (Station 162)
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Below are Boxes 359 from Union and Linwood Avenue and 376 from Park Avenue and East 29th Street
Hancock Collection
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Hancock Collection
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Below left is the Gamewell Stanchion that stood at the intersection of Main St and Broadway, beneath the Port Arthur restaurant. Unique was a fire gong that sat on top of the stanchion (the actual one is at right). This alerted policemen directing traffic in downtown Paterson to know that apparatus would be coming by. The entire stanchion is at the NJ Firemen's Museum in Boonton, NJ
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Dayspring Collection
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Three views of another Paterson Stanchion on top of which was a street lamp.
This also now is located at the Boonton NJ Firemen's Museum
This also now is located at the Boonton NJ Firemen's Museum
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