The History of Castleton Fire Company

  Concern for protection against fire is reflected early in the records of the Village of Castleton. As early as 1827, money was budgeted for the purchase of the first buckets; hooks; and ladders. This purchase was made possible with the approval of the Village Board for a $100 tax levy. The money which was not spent on the above items was ordered into a contingency fund for the hopeful purchase in the future of a fire engine. The first organized Fire department did not come about in the Village until the year of 1871. Until that time, the fires were put out by several different fire brigades made up for the citizenry. On May 16, 1840, the Village Board provided for a $1 fine per every 24 hours that a fire hazard was not removed after detection. This was attached to the earlier resolution of 1828 in which all open burning in the business district was prohibited. On July 4, 1857 the Village Board levied another $200 tax levy. These funds were to be put into the contingency fund for the future purchase of the fire engine. In 1863, the Village Health Officer, Dr. Hogeboom was directed to assess the fire hazards caused by combustible materials along the right-of-way of the Hudson River Railroad Co. In 1870 the Village Board Designated a parcel of property to be the site of an Engine House when moneys became available to construct the same.

          On March 3, 1871, the Village Board met at a special meeting where they resolved to send “Thank You” letters to the mayors and Chief Engineers of the Fire Departments of the Cities of Albany and Hudson. This was done to show the appreciation of the Village residents for the above units extinguishing a recent major blaze. Immediately after that, Village Board President Frank P. Harder appointed a committee to look into the possibility of the purchase of a fire engine for the Village. The committee consisted of John Downer, Nick Searman, Joel Smith and Frank Harder. The committee worked diligently and three days later, on March 6 1871, the Board put before Village voters, a Bond Issue of 4,500 for the purchase of a fire engine and accompanying equipment. The result of the public vote was 35 for an 11 against. Work on the Engine House because in May of 1871 and was completed in the Summer of 1871, The Engine House referred to was constructed at the corner of Green Street (i.e. Green Ave.) and the 1^st Alley (i.e. First Street) and alter housed the J.W. McKnight truck and as late as 1875 housed an engine while the firehouse was moved during 19774-75. Upon completion, the Engine House stored the Villages new fire engine, a Clapp & Jones Steamer Engine.
 

          On March 28, 1971, at the Village Board Meeting, Trustees George Rorabeck and Abraham VanBuren moved that a Fire Department be formed in the Village. The Board decreed that the Fire Department would be called the Castleton Fire Department and would consist of two companies. Abe VanBuren was appointed the Chief Engineer of the Department with Abeny Buckman serving as 1^st Asst. Engnr. and William Smith 2^nd Asst. Engnr. The Engine Company, with 60 men, was formally named the F.P. HARDER STEAM FIRE ENGINE COMPANY NO. 1, after Frank P. Harder, the Board President and local dealer in feeds and lumber. The Hose Company, with 20 men, was named the JOHN W. MCKNIGHT HOSE CO. NO. 2, after John W. McKnight the former postmaster of the Village and then State Senator. The Board accepted a list of all members of both units. In 1872, William Smith becomes the Chief Engineer but, is replaced in 1873 by Abe VanBuren, the original Chef Engineer. On November 4, 1873, the Village made its first major additional purchase of items by purchasing a 30 foot and 40 food ladder. In the year of 1874 the Village begins to hire a janitor for the firehouse at a salary of $5 per month. His duties were to keep the engine and house spotless at all times after fires and Board meetings which were regularly held in the Engine House. Abe VanBuren continued as Chief during 1874 and in 1875 John W. McKnight is elected Chief Engineer and serves as such through 1878. In March of 1876 the Village Board authorized the replacement of 15 feet of hose for the Steamer at a cost of $200. In 1879 William W. Wood assumes the duties of Chief Engineer and serves as such through 1887. On May 8, 1879 the Village Board approved the purchase of a Bell & Hose Tower to be built on the lumber yard across from the Engine House. Also in 1879, a relief valve is put on the Steamer on a trail basis. An example of equipment requested would be like that submitted to the Board by Chief Wood on December 12, 1883: 1 ½ dozen spanners; ½ Dozen spanner belts; 6 lanterns; 36 hose jackets; 2 torches and grappling hooks.
 

          In 1885 the Village becomes equipped with Oil street lamps and the duties of lighting and snuffing out the same is divided between the Fire Department members and the Village Board.
 

          Feuding between companies was not unusual in those days and it is noted that on April 14, 1886, the Board directed the Village Clerk to “diplomatically settle” the disputes between members of the Harders Board offered a $10 reward leading to the arrest of the person who “maliciously cut the suction hose on the Engine”, however, nobody emerged. Also at the meeting, the Village Board ordered that due to the fact that the Engine House was becoming a “hang-out”, only members could enter the House and they could only enter for the purpose of an alarm or cleaning the trucks or the Engine House. On December 23, 1887 the Board directed that a steam heating plant be purchased to heat  the House to at least 50 degrees; price $200. In 1888 James VanBuren becomes the Chief Engineer and this year marked the first time the Fire Department petitioned the Village Board to expel members from the Companies. In 1888 the Clapp & Jones Steamer underwent major repairs and the Clapp & Jones Company provided a replacement engine while the repairs were made. James VanBuren continues Chief engineer through 1889. In 1890, William Wood returns as Chief Engineer. From 1891 through 1894, James VanBuren serves as the Chief Engineer. Beginning the 1893, the Engine House and contents are insured with the three year policy costing $50. In 1893 Billage Trustee Connally is directed to purchase a “suitable steel tire for a fire gong.” In 1894 a new boiler is purchased for the Engine House. In 1895 James VanBuren is again appointed Chief Engineer but, is succeeded in 1896 by Edward Earing. On April 3, 1896 a new boiler was purchased for the Streamer. The boiler was purchased from the American Fire Engine Company of Seneca Falls NY for a cost of $900. On December 10, 1896, the Village Board orders that three beds be placed in the Engine House. These were not for the firemen however, but, rather, the vagrants needing overnight lodging in the Village. Chief Engineer Edward Earing continues as such through 1897 and 1898.
 

          On March 25, 1897, a committee is formed to look in to getting a suitable fire alarm for the Village. The committee consisted of Board Pres. Flynn; James VanBuren; and Christian Peter. On April 16, 1897 the Village Board lets out bids for a water supply system that will supply 37 Fire Hydrants at a cost of not more than $35 per hydrant. The Atlantic Contractors are awarded the bid with the stipulation that on top of the hill the pressure will be enough to throw a stream of water 40 feet. On May 12, 1897, C.H. Smith, secretary of the newly-formed SETH WHEELER HOSE CO. NO. 2 petition the Village Board to allow that company to become a part of Castleton Fire Department. On September 22, 1897 the Village Board gives their approval to WHEELERS to becoming part of the Fire Department. On December 9, 1897 the Village Board reveals that 42 Fire hydrants are now operational in the Village. The major change of the year 1897 came on January 12, 1987. The name of the F.P. HARDER STEAM FIRE ENGINE CO. NO. 1 was officially changed to the CITIZENS HOSE CO. NO. 1.  In 1899, B. M. Stryker became the Chief Engineer and on August 8, 1899 a 1200 pound bell was purchased from the Meneeley Bell Works of Troy NY at a cost of $.27 per pound. On August 12, 1899 the old bell tower was torn down and a new on erected on the top of the firehouse at a cost of $298. On September 13, 1899 the new bell is mounted in the new tower and officially designated to be the first alarm system of the Village.
 

James VanBuren assumes the duties of Chief Engineer during 1900, 19001 and 1902. In 1903 and 1904 William Coots assumes the duties as the Chief Engineer. On April 23, 1903, the original fire house, built in 1871, was formally dedicated in the memory of William Noyes, the original property owner. This was done at the request of the widow of Noyes. A marble inscription can still be seen over the doorway attesting this dedication. In 1900 an ordinance was passed regulating the degree of fire protection necessary in new roof construction. From 1905 to 1916, James VanBuren serves as the Chief Engineer. Theodore Schemerhorn rented the Wheelers a barn for their hose cart at a cost of $12 per year. In 1905 an alarm bell is placed on the Wheeler hose cart building. In 1095 a pressure test is made of the hydrants and same are found to be unacceptable. The Castleton Pure Water Works is instructed to correct the defects. In 1907, Wheelers I allowed to incorporate as a social club under New York State Law, this being done at their own request.
 

          In 1910, the Engine House is rented out for the first time. The Modern American Woodsman Association rented the building two nights per month at a cost of $1 per night. The Citizen Band was allowed to practice in the Engine House free of charge. In January of 1912 a new boiler is purchased for the Engine House at a cost of $85.
 

          On February 11, 1915, The Village Board received a communicate from Capt. William Folmsbee and Secretary Jay Smith of the newly formed P. C. BRASHEAR CHEMICAL HOOOK & LADDER CO. NO. 1. requesting admission to the Castleton Fire Department. Their company roster consisted of 30 men. The company was named after Col. Peter C. Brashear, and executive with the Fort Orange Paper Company and veteran of the Spanish American War. The petition was accepted and the Fire Department now consisted of four individual companies. In March of 1915, new innovations hit the Engine House with the purchase of 12 Phoenix fire Extinguishers and 2 toilets. On April 13, 1915 the new fire alarm steam whistle is finished being mounted on the A.C. Cheney Piano Action Company.
 

          With the death of James VanBuren in 1916, John Ray is appointed to serve out the 1916 term as Chief Engineer. On July 27, 1916, the Village Board agreed to purchase new tools for the new engine that the Citizens Engine Co. was purchasing. In 1917 Frank Haber is appointed Chief Engineer. On April 11, 1918 Henry Peter is appointed Chief Engineer and remains in that post until 1940. In 1919 the Brashears appointed Lieutenants, the first that any company had appointed such officers. In 1921 the Citizens Hose Co. No. 1 changed their name to Citizens Engine Co. NO. 1 to reflect their new truck. In 1919 the first fire masks were bought at a cost of $10.50 each.
 

          On March 3, 1921 the Village Board approved the expenditure of $1,500 for a motor driven pump to be installed on the P.C. Brashear Chemical Hook & Ladder truck. On September 22, 1921 the pump became operational and the truck was taken to many different communities to give demonstrations. On April 24, 1921 the Board approved that in the case of water shut-off, the whistle would be blown two blasts at 6PM on the previous night.  In 1921 the Brashears tried to change their name to an Engine company but, the Village Board refused to allow it. On January 26, 1922 the Brashear Truck was sold to the Village for $1500. In October of 1922 the bell tower was removed from the roof of the Engine House. In March of 1924 the Village Board voted to expend $14.50 to purchase the Fire Chief a coat. In May of 1925 the Village Board resolved that only Fire Department members would be allowed in or on the Engines. In 1927 a concretes floor is put in the Engine House at a cost of $75. On January 3, 1928 the Board stated that they would pay $5 to any fireman who remained on guard at the scene of an extinguished fire throughout the night.
 

          On March 26, 1928 the Village agreed to purchase 40 rubber raincoats for use by the Fire Department. In 1928 a system of permits for open burning is set up in the Village. In October of 1928, the Brashear Truck is moved from its garage (located near what is now the residence of George Prins) on VanBuren Avenue, to Metzgers Garage on VanBuren Avenue. The annual rent is to be stated in terms of 4 tons of coal.
 

          On March 1, 1929, a 5 H.P. W.S. Darley & Co. Fire Siren is tested for a 60 day period and the result is that it was unsatisfactory. On July 8, 1928 a 60 cycle Fire Siren is purchased from the Buffalo Fire Appliance Corporation at a cost of $490. Also on 1929, the Brashear truck received a major overhaul. On May 11, 1931 the Village Board decreed that the Fire Department could go outside the Village limits to fight a fire but, this was rescinded in August of 1932. Workmen Compensation for fireman had been implemented in 1929; On May 8, 1932 the Village purchased a siren for the Chiefs car. In 1936 the Board decreed that a standardized application form be adopted and that all applications of members be approved by the Chief Engineer and the Foreman of the respective company before being forwarded to the Village Board for approval. Between Nov. 8, 1937 and April 8, 1938, the Federal Electric Company installed Fire Boxes on utility poles at a cost of $1,285. Ordinances relating to False Alarms followed shortly thereafter. In November of 1940, the Village stated that any person residing within 2 miles of the Village limits could make application to join the Fire Department. By 1940 the Brashear truck had been purchased by the Citizens and the company disbanded. The 3 remaining companies, Citizens; McKnights and Wheelers remained separate until 1958 when all three were merged together to form one unit, the Castleton Fire Company, Inc.