PATERSON FIRE HISTORY
  • HOME
  • OVERVIEW
    • FIRST CENTURY
    • EVENTS 1890-1894
    • EVENTS 1895-1899
    • EVENTS 1900-1910
    • EVENTS 1911-1919
    • EVENTS 1920-1939
    • EVENTS 1940-1959
    • EVENTS 1960-1979
    • EVENTS 1980-99
    • EVENTS 2000-2019
    • EVENTS 2020-2021
  • FIREFIGHTERS
    • MASTER MECHANICS
  • THE SUPREME SACRIFICE
    • MEMORIAL SERVICE
  • CHIEF ENGINEERS
    • ASSISTANT CHIEFS
    • DEPUTY CHIEFS
    • BATTALION CHIEFS
    • CHIEF GIGS
  • GREAT 1902 CONFLAGRATION
  • TAKING THE HEAT BOOK
  • 1893 PFD HISTORY BOOK
  • 1940 HISTORICAL REVIEW
  • 1950 HISTORICAL REVIEW
  • NOTABLE FIRES/INCIDENTS
  • EMS
    • EMS ROSTER
  • FIREHOUSE PHOTOS / FACTS
  • COMPANY & FH HISTORY
  • COMMUNICATIONS / FA
    • FIRE BOX LISTS
    • EVRS STATION LIST
  • SPECIAL OPERATIONS
  • SPECIAL OP EVENTS
  • FIRE VIDEOS 1991-2011
  • FIRE VIDEOS 2014-2020
  • DOCUDRAMAS
  • APPARATUS
  • APPARATUS VIDEOS
  • NOTABLE EVENTS INDEX
    • APPARATUS NOTABLES
    • APPTS & PROMOTIONS
    • AWARDS
    • DEATHS / OBITUARIES
    • FIREMEN STORIES
    • 1960 CHIEF SELECTION
    • GRAND STREET RIOT 1917
    • GROUND ZERO
    • HANCOCKS
    • HISTORICAL REVIEWS
    • HISTORY by CHIEF STAGG
    • JOSEPH DAYSPRING
    • KEARNEY-FAMILY
    • MILITARY
    • PARADES
    • RED MASS
    • RESCUES
    • RETIREMENTS
    • SISTER LORETTA
    • SPORTS
    • THEATRE DETAIL
  • MEMORABILIA
  • PATCHES DECALS LOGOS SHIRTS
  • WALLPAPER
  • DEPARTMENT DOGS
  • TRAINING
  • VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT
    • 1821 - 1854 HISTORY
    • VOLUNTEER HISTORY
    • ANNUAL REPORTS
    • VOLUNTEER CHIEFS
    • VOLUNTEER PROFILES
    • ANDREW MOSER
    • VOLUNTEER COMPANIES
  • EXEMPT ASSOCIATION
  • EXEMPT HOME & RELICS
  • FMBA / PFA
  • BALLBOOKS
    • 1909 BALL BOOK
    • 1916 BALL BOOK
    • 1918 BALL BOOK
    • 1923 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1928 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1935 PFD BOOSTER
    • 1936 JANUARY PICTORIAL
    • 1936 DECEMBER PICTORIAL
    • 1937 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1938 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1939 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1941 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1942 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1943 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1944 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1945 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1946 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1947 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1948 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1949 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1950 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1951 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1952 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1953 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1954 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1955 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1956 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1957 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1958 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1959 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1960 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1961 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1962 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1963 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1964 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1965 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1966 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1967 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1968 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1969 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1970 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1971 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1972 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1973 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1975 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1976 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1977 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1979 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1980 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1981 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1982 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1983 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1984 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1985 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1986 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1987 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1988 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1989 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1990 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1991 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1992 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1993 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1994 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1995 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1996 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1997 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1998 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1999 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2000 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2001 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2002 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2003 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2004 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2005 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2010 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2011 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2014 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2016 ANNUAL BALL
  • AUXILIARY FIRE DEPARTMENT
  • CITY OF PATERSON
  • PFH CONTRIBUTORS
  • ORAL HISTORY
  • STATISTICS
  • CONTACT

Lafayette Engine Company 8

This company was instituted in 1872, going into service in August of that year. They were first located in a one-story frame building located on Sherman Avenue, near Totowa Avenue. They were given the engine which Lexington No. 7 had used, a piano-box engine built by James Smith, of New York in 1856. 
Picture
This is what a James Smth Piano Box Engine looked like
1873: Foreman: Richard Ross  Assistant: George McCandless
July 14, 1873:  Decisions regarding Engine 8 responding downtown
Picture
Guardian - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
In 1876 they moved into a new two story brick firehouse at 71 Wayne Avenue, at the corner of Liberty Street, where they remained until the paid department took over in 1890. Shown below is the insignia above the main apparatus door on the building, where the "8" is partially worn off.
Picture
Picture
1877 Sanborn Map
September 7 & 10, 1874:  Apparatus (hand pumper) accident on Totowa Avenue hill (as it approaches Hamburgh Avenue), with initial reports erroneously declaring FF Theodore Chamberlin as being fatally injured
Picture
Courtesy Jim Eifler
Picture
Courtesy Jim Eifler
September 7, 1874: Paterson Daily Press with the true story
Picture
Picture
Picture
September 10, 1974: Article published 
Picture
Courtesy Jim Eifler
Picture
Courtesy Jim Eifler
Later in September 1874 the city fathers placed in their charge a double pump engine built by the Paterson Steam Fire Engine Works (hand pulled). ​
Picture
Hand-pulled Lafayette 8 Steam Fire Engine with Foreman's Trumpets on Yoke
Picture
Picture
Picture
Badge of James McMullen
Picture
Helmet Shield - Passaic County Historical Society
Picture
Eifler Collection
1878 By-Laws pamphlet
Picture
1878
January 2, 1879: Interesting newspaper clip about limiting Engine 8's response area: 
Picture
In 1885 they had an Engine built by Paterson Steam Fire Engine Works; a hand drawn third-class engine, double pumps, with horizontal works.
​

March 20, 1885;  Company Roster ​& Badge numbers

Foreman, MARTIN MOORE, Assistant Foreman, C. J. RAFFERTY,
Secretary; W.J. RUTLEDGE, Treasurer, JAMES RAFFERTY,
Engineer, WILLIAM BOYLE, Assistant Engineer, THOMAS DONAHUE.
​
Badge           Name                   Occupation               Residence
Number

1              Richard Ross.. ..... . .. Machinist......... 138 Paterson avenue.
2              Thomas McCoy- ....... .Engineer. ......... .209 Walnut street.
3              G. H. Van Houten.. . . .Carpenter··· ........ 16 Redwoods avenue.
4              Samuel S. Pounds. ...... Machinist. .........11 Albion avenue.
5              James Lawton ......... ....Machinist . ... . .. ...29 Henry street.
6              T. H. Chamberlin. ... .Printer. ........ .. .347 Totowa avenue.
7              James Spring. ...... ... Paper Maker.. . .. .189 Wayne avenue.
8              George Cummings ... .. Machinist .........2 Lane street.
9              John Tigue. .. . .. . .. .Boiler Maker. . . . . . .81 Wayne avenue
10            Thomas Sisco. ....... .Machinist.. ........31 Front street.
11             Martin Moore. ....... .moulder.. . ........31 Sheridan avenue.
12             Frank Boyle. ...... .. .Shoemaker. ... ... 196 Liberty street.
13             William Smethurst .- Liquor Dealer. . . . . .81 Wayne avenue.
14             George Walker. .. .. .. .Carpenter. ........ .153 Sherman avenue.
15             John Maher. ......... .Mason .......... .Redwoods & Totowa.
16             J. Tansby.. ... Wire Drawer.. .. . .101 Redwoods avenue.
17             John Dowd. .... ...... .Policeman. ........ Albion avenue.
18             J. W.La Rue............. Painter.. ....... . .15 Paterson avenue.
19             John Wallwork.. .. . . Liquor Dealer . . . . . 10 Albion avenue.
20             John Conklin. ......... Plasterer. ..........22 Ryerson avenue.
21             T. A. La Rue. . ... .. Painter.. ....10 Rip Van Winkle av.
22             Patrick Reid.. ....... Liquor Dealer . . .. .Preakness avenue.
23             Adam Banghardt ..... .Blacksmith... ..... Spring street
24             Edward Moore ........ Dyer.. ........... 214 Walnut street.
25             John Bauman.. . . .Carpenter.. . ... . . . .110 Wayne avenue.
26             John McKelvey...... .Silk Weaver.. . . ... .Redwoods avenue.
27             James McMullen.. . . .Silk Weaver ........113 Redwoods avenue.
28             W. J. Rutledge .. . .. .. .Machinist. .........14 Sheridan avenue.
29             John Melvin........... Boiler Maker. ...... Totowa avenue.
30             James Rafferty. ..... .Blacksmith. ........73 Henry street
31             Wallace Todd. ........ . Bleacher. ..... .... Liberty street
32             Lewis Banghardt. .. .. . .Blacksmith.. ...... .532 Liberty street.
33             Thomas Donahue. ...... Machinist. ......... 197 Liberty street
31             William Boyle ......... Machinist ........ 16 Albion avenue.
35             Henry Nagle.. ............Carpenter......... ....60 Wayne avenue.
36             Charles Fisher. ........ .Silk Weaver. ...... .Water street
37             J.J. Flanagan. ......... Dyer. ............. .333 Totowa avenue.
38             John Matthews......... Butcher.. ... ......23 Albion avenue.
39             Martin Donahue ... .. .Machinist. .. ....... 54 Albion avenue.
40             John Donahue.. ... .... Printer. .... ....... Sheridan avenue.
41             James Howe.. ......... .Silk Weaver. ....... 160 Jasper street
42             John Ellis.. ............ Machinist. ......... 106 Wayne avenue.
43             Robert Wright... .. . .. Blacksmith.. .......30 Albion avenue.
41             William Kinane ...... .Boiler Maker. . .. .. .84 Wayne avenue.
45             Peter Bradle.. ........ .Machinist. .........71 Paterson avenue.
46             John McGeahie ........ Machinist ......... Stony road.
47             John Feeney. .......... . .Silk Weaver . ......27 Jersey street
48             Robert Brereton.. ..... .Boiler Maker . .. .. .Preakness avenue.
49             Denma Bergen. . .. . . .. .Engineer. ......... .Wayne avenue.
50             Michael Doyle... ...... .Dyer. ......................73 Marshall street.
51             C. J. Rafferty. ........ .Silk Weaver. .. ....13 Redwoods avenue.
52             Thomas McMullen... Silk Weaver .. .. .... 124 Maple street.
53             Daniel Moore. . .. . ......Silk Weaver ........21 Sheridan street
54             George Braithwaite. ... Silk Weaver . .. . ... 69 Wayne avenue.
55             J. E. Hockett.. ........ ......Machinist. . ····.........69 Wayne avenue.
56             William Cartwright..... Machinist .......... 69 Wayne avenue.
57             Albert Atkinson. ...... Blacksmith. .. .. ....... 69 Wayne avenue
58             James Dunkersly. . .... .Machinist ........ ........66 Wayne avenue.
59             Joseph Bauman. ...... ..Butcher.. ................. . .5 Albion avenue.
60             William Andersen. . ... .caulker.. ............. .. .Paterson avenue
61             David Nichols.. .. .. .. .. Liquor Dealer. . . . . . 68 Wayne avenue
62             Joseph McCormaek.. . . .Silk Weaver. ..........43 Wayne avenue
63             Kerim Keys.. ......... .Boiler Maker. ............. .491 Totowa avenue.
64             Joseph Kirwin. ........Boiler Maker........ ....... 197 Liberty street.
65             James Matthews. .. . .. Paper Maker... . . . . . .23 Albion avenue.
66             William Spreen. ...... .Carpenter. .....................213 Walnut street.
67             David Peters. ......... .Machinist. ................... .North West street.
68             William Campbell. . . . ..Paper Maker.. ..... ........249 Liberty street.
69             Joseph Whalley. ...... .Dyer. ......... ......... ..Cor. Grand and Spruce.
70             Martin Quinn.......... Machinist. ........ .................Paterson avenue.
71             John Nagle:........... Dyer. . ..............................212 Walnut street.
72             William Nevins. ...... Silk Weaver. ................99 Redwoods avenue.
73             Joseph Srover ........ Moulder.. ....................... .Paterson avenue.
October 21, 1886: Lafayette Steam Fire Engine Company No. 8 made n excursion to Newton, NJ (detailed in the Morning Call clip below) where they were very well received.  This Lithograph from Kittatinny Hose Company No. 1 of Newton was presented. 
Picture
Presentation Certificate
Picture
October 24 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
Picture
​

The above placard reads: the bear, of which no name is on record, was once the mascot for Lafayette Engine Company of Paterson's volunteer department, that was located on the corner of Wayne Avenue and Liberty Street. When the Paterson volunteers were disbanded in 1895 [that is erroneous - date was 1890], the bear was given to the Exempt Fireman's Association where he stayed until sometime in the 1930s. 

The bear was presented to the Historical Society inn 1954 and was on display in Lambert Castle for many years. Unfortunately he began to deteriorate and his outstretched arms became damaged due to a heavy fire hose in his paws. It was also necessary to chemically stabilize the bear. Nineteenth century taxidermists used chemicals such as arsenic. Before the bear could be put on exhibit again, he needed to have his stuffing removed and replaced with new, safer materials.
Picture
Proudly powered by Weebly
  • HOME
  • OVERVIEW
    • FIRST CENTURY
    • EVENTS 1890-1894
    • EVENTS 1895-1899
    • EVENTS 1900-1910
    • EVENTS 1911-1919
    • EVENTS 1920-1939
    • EVENTS 1940-1959
    • EVENTS 1960-1979
    • EVENTS 1980-99
    • EVENTS 2000-2019
    • EVENTS 2020-2021
  • FIREFIGHTERS
    • MASTER MECHANICS
  • THE SUPREME SACRIFICE
    • MEMORIAL SERVICE
  • CHIEF ENGINEERS
    • ASSISTANT CHIEFS
    • DEPUTY CHIEFS
    • BATTALION CHIEFS
    • CHIEF GIGS
  • GREAT 1902 CONFLAGRATION
  • TAKING THE HEAT BOOK
  • 1893 PFD HISTORY BOOK
  • 1940 HISTORICAL REVIEW
  • 1950 HISTORICAL REVIEW
  • NOTABLE FIRES/INCIDENTS
  • EMS
    • EMS ROSTER
  • FIREHOUSE PHOTOS / FACTS
  • COMPANY & FH HISTORY
  • COMMUNICATIONS / FA
    • FIRE BOX LISTS
    • EVRS STATION LIST
  • SPECIAL OPERATIONS
  • SPECIAL OP EVENTS
  • FIRE VIDEOS 1991-2011
  • FIRE VIDEOS 2014-2020
  • DOCUDRAMAS
  • APPARATUS
  • APPARATUS VIDEOS
  • NOTABLE EVENTS INDEX
    • APPARATUS NOTABLES
    • APPTS & PROMOTIONS
    • AWARDS
    • DEATHS / OBITUARIES
    • FIREMEN STORIES
    • 1960 CHIEF SELECTION
    • GRAND STREET RIOT 1917
    • GROUND ZERO
    • HANCOCKS
    • HISTORICAL REVIEWS
    • HISTORY by CHIEF STAGG
    • JOSEPH DAYSPRING
    • KEARNEY-FAMILY
    • MILITARY
    • PARADES
    • RED MASS
    • RESCUES
    • RETIREMENTS
    • SISTER LORETTA
    • SPORTS
    • THEATRE DETAIL
  • MEMORABILIA
  • PATCHES DECALS LOGOS SHIRTS
  • WALLPAPER
  • DEPARTMENT DOGS
  • TRAINING
  • VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT
    • 1821 - 1854 HISTORY
    • VOLUNTEER HISTORY
    • ANNUAL REPORTS
    • VOLUNTEER CHIEFS
    • VOLUNTEER PROFILES
    • ANDREW MOSER
    • VOLUNTEER COMPANIES
  • EXEMPT ASSOCIATION
  • EXEMPT HOME & RELICS
  • FMBA / PFA
  • BALLBOOKS
    • 1909 BALL BOOK
    • 1916 BALL BOOK
    • 1918 BALL BOOK
    • 1923 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1928 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1935 PFD BOOSTER
    • 1936 JANUARY PICTORIAL
    • 1936 DECEMBER PICTORIAL
    • 1937 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1938 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1939 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1941 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1942 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1943 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1944 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1945 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1946 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1947 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1948 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1949 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1950 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1951 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1952 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1953 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1954 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1955 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1956 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1957 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1958 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1959 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1960 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1961 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1962 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1963 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1964 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1965 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1966 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1967 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1968 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1969 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1970 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1971 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1972 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1973 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1975 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1976 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1977 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1979 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1980 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1981 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1982 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1983 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1984 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1985 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1986 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1987 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1988 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1989 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1990 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1991 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1992 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1993 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1994 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1995 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1996 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1997 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1998 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1999 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2000 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2001 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2002 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2003 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2004 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2005 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2010 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2011 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2014 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2016 ANNUAL BALL
  • AUXILIARY FIRE DEPARTMENT
  • CITY OF PATERSON
  • PFH CONTRIBUTORS
  • ORAL HISTORY
  • STATISTICS
  • CONTACT