The first North Boston Fire Company structure built, around 1907-1911, according to the Boston Fire Company treasurer,
Rodney J. Carr. The tower served to house the bell and also to dry the fire hoses. Photo courtesy of Rodney J. Carr.
North Boston Fire Company, Boston State Road
The North Boston Fire Company will celebrate
its centennial in 2004. A historic plaque stands
beside the current building which states: "The Boston Valley's first fire
company was organized in 1904.
After seeing the futile efforts to battle the disastrous burning of Schunk's
Hotel and the Boston Town Hall,
Fred Frank rallied the North Boston community to support the formation of a
local fire company."
The first North Boston Fire Company structure built, around 1907-1911, according
to the Boston Fire Company treasurer,
Rodney J. Carr. The tower served to house the bell and also to dry the fire
hoses. Photo courtesy of Rodney J. Carr.
North Boston Fire Company, 1930's. In the 1920's, the building behind the tower
was constructed to house first a Model-T truck
and then, beginning in 1929, a Stewart pumper purchased from Buffalo Fire Apparatus.
The same view in 2003. In 1959, the old structure was demolished and the first
portion of this building was constructed.
It was enlarged in 1971 with the addition of the two large truck bays at left.
Another addition in 1976 enlarged the
kitchen and dining room.
The bell from the fire tower, retained today beside the current fire hall.
As they prepare for their centennial, the
North Boston Fire Company is requesting assistance from all who may have
memories or photos of the history of this company. Their web site is http://www.northbostonfire.com/
Contact
Assistant Fire Chief Sean Crotty at foghorn811@aol.com
.
Special thanks to Sean Crotty and Rodney J.
Carr for their generous assistance with this series.