Area History: A History of the Washington Hook and Ladder Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Shirley E. Ryan, sryan@enter.net USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. ______________________________________________________________________ (NOTE: This is an Anniversary booklet was published on the 100th Anniversary, 1886-1986, of the Washington Hook and Ladder Co., #1, Mahanoy City, Pa. The anniversary celebration was held at St. Mary’s Center, West Mahanoy Street, Mahanoy City, Pa., on Saturday, June 7, 1986. John A. Eltringham was a MCHS graduate and a member of the faculty (chemistry teacher). Transcribed by: Shirley E. Ryan December 15, 2002 HISTORY OF THE WASHINGTON HOOK & LADDER CO Mahanoy City realized in February 1886 that if needed a Ladder Co. in the Borough when it became necessary to borrow the ladder of Wm. H. Behney, a painter, to reach an upper story during a fire in the second ward. Not long after this incident, Wm. H. Behney, Chas. H. D. Hand, Joseph Spurr, John A. Lathan, and E.E. Kuder met and put into motion plans which resulted in the Company’s organization at the Christian Budwash Hotel. T.H.B. Lyon was retained to secure the charter which was obtained on March 22, 1886. A picnic was held at Pleasant Hill to pay for the uniforms which consisted of a white flannel shirt, cap, belt and necktie. A hand-drawn piece of fire equipment was the first to be purchased from the company’s own treasury. Horses and horse-drawn equipment also were purchased from the Company’s own funds. Later, a pumping engine was purchased by the men without any outside aid. In 1924, the horse-drawn equipment was motorized at company expense. Two years later, in 1926, the company purchased a Buffalo 500-gallon pumper, Larabee Chassis. In 1936, the Borough bought a Peter Pirsch 65’ ladder truck which was fully hydraulic and fully equipped. This ladder truck was the first of its kind in the state of Pennsylvania. From 1941-1945 many of the company’s men served their country in World War II. In 1970 the term of the fire chief in the borough of Mahanoy City was changed from a 1 year term to a 5 year term. Jack Wertz, Jr., was elected to the first 5 year term of fire chief in Mahanoy City (1970-1974). In 1975, he was re-elected to his 2nd term (1975-1979). Chief Wertz retired from his position in 1979 after 10 years of service. 1980 saw another “Hookie” succeed Chief Wertz. H. Paul Macleary assumed the position of fire chief in June 1980 and served in that position up to the present time. In 1973, borough council purchased a new American LaFrance 100’ Ladder Chief, aerial truck which is in service at the present time. Also in 1973 the company purchased with its own funds a 1973 G.M.C. Van for use as an equipment truck. In the early 1980’s “training” became an important part of the Mahanoy City fire department. The men from the Hookies spent many hours in these training programs over the last few years. There are currently 18 members of the Hookies that are state certified in at least “Advanced Firefighting”, and we also have 3 emergency Medical Technicians (E.M.T.). The organization might well be called the “Fathers and Sons Company” because of the number of sons that have succeeded their “dads” into membership of the company over the last 100 years. MAJOR FILES IN MAHANOY CITY, BY JOHN A. ELTRINGHAM 1867 - Spruce Street School Building 1867 - Tavern of old blind Patrick located at A and Centre Sts March 17, 1873 - Anthracite Hotel, 62-68 N. Main St., destroyed April 9, 1870 - North Mahanoy Colliery Fire 1878 - Dieter Bakery and Confectionery Store December 3, 1882 - Dipper Bldg. And adjacent properties in 100 block North Side of West Centre Street destroyed (lst Dipper fire). February 13, 1883 - Large section of the South Side of 700 block on East Centre St destroyed April 3, 1885 - Enoch block on the North Side of 100 block on West Centre St February 14, 1885 Fire 300 block on south side of West Spruce St September 17, 1887 - Buck Mountain Breaker destroyed September 19, 1890 - Shoemakersville Train wreck. Firemen were returning from State Firemen’s Convention at Chester. Three members of Citizens Fire Co. were killed and one member from the Humane Fire Co. killed. Several men injured. April 30, 1891 - Parmley fire. South Side of 200 block on West Centre St., back to Market St. January 16, 1891 - Irish Book Store fire n the first block of West Centre St (North Side of Street) February 7, 1894 - Merchants Hotel and Keser Clothiers fire in the 200 block on North Side of West Centre Street July 27, 1894 - Graham’s Store and Adjacent Bldgs. (210-228 West Centre St. - South side). January 23, 1898 - Three incendiary fires. March 23, 1901 - Properties of Hooven Mercantile Co., Hoppes Bros. Flour and Feed Mill, Gerhart Shirt Factory and Clarion Laundry Buildings located on 200 block on East Railroad St., near the Phila. And Reading Railroad Depot. May 3, 1903 - Rear of Guinans Store February 10, 1904 - Krebs Drugstore November 20, 1909 - Knickerbocker Colliery burned to ground October 15, 1913 - Kaier Opera House (Main and Market Streets) November 25, 1913 - Myer Paret, Joe Doyle, Dipper Bldgs., Pat Dillons Liquor Store in 100 block, North Side of West Center St. (2nd fire in Dipper Bldg.) November 27, 1913 - Mahanoy American Printing Co. (Behind Guinans Store). 1914 - Frank Restaurant - 1-block East Centre 1917 - Fire in 1000 block South Side of East Centre St February 14, 1917 - Friedburg Warehouse - 100 block West Railroad Street December 1918 - Fire destroyed Jacksons School house October 29, 1919 - Fire damaged George Klimchusky and Martin Ryan homes in the First block on North Side of East Spruce Lane January 16, 1920 - Fire in the Schmidt Building (formerly the Dipper Bldg) 100 block North Side West Centre St. This was the fourth big fire in this building in seven years June 22, 1921 - Mule Stable at Tunnel Ridge Colliery November 10, 1922 - St. Nicholas Union Church destroyed January 9, 1923 - Armory Hall and Adjacent properties in the North Side of 100 block on East Pine Street and 100 block South Side of East Market Streets May 2, 1923 - Mahanoy City Lumber Co. and adjacent properties in the 400 block, North Side of Centre Street and the South Side of West Railroad Street December 25, 1924 - Majestic Poolroom and Franklin, Liachority, Fried and Oberson Bldgs., North Side of the first block on West Centre Street February 27, 1925 0 Trushkowski fire, 500 block on West Centre Street January 11, 1926 - Hosiery Mill and Box Factory North 8th St January 13, 1926 - Holy Rosary Rectory Fire, Mahanoy Plane January 10, 1927 - St. Casimars Church Fire on S. Calaross St. Jake Long, Marshall (Note by transcriber: Believe that should be S. Catawissa St.) February 4, 1927 - Ruby Provision Co. fire, North Side 100 block on West Market St November 4, 1930 - 1100 block, North Side of East Centre St. Ted Roberts drove the American Hose Truck of Tamaqua 12 miles in 12 minutes to arrive in Mahanoy City and find his parents home involved in the fire August 15, 1933 - Fenton’s Drug Store and adjacent building. South Side of 100 block on East Centre Street August 16, 1933 - St. Aidan’s Church destroyed in Ellengowan February 5, 1937 - South Side of 1100 block on East Centre St. 6 houses damaged February 22, 1937 - Lakewood Pavilion Fire June 10, 1937 - Kirchner and Murtin Clothing Store, South Side 100 block West Centre Street October 16, 1937 - Kaiers Garage Fire December 14, 1937 - South Side of 100 block on West Centre Street (Whittaker, Horan, Snyder, Larkin and O’Brien Properties) June 19, 1938 - Mahanoy Township High School, Fourth & South Sts. Totally destroyed December 24, 1938 - Kaiers Brewery pitch house October 3, 1940 - Srafford’s Inn Fire, Hometown November 10, 1942 - Central Bowling Alley, North Side first block on East Centre Street July 9, 1943 - Calnon Laundry Fire, Second & Market Sts. Several men from Humane knocked to the ground from hitting high tension wires on Market and 2nd Streets with hose May 30, 1945 - Memorial Day Fire - leveled 100 block on West Centre and Railroad Sts North Side; parts of 100 block on South Side and 200 block North Side as well as Railroad Street properties in the area. 60 buildings destroyed. Mahanoy City’s worse fire. The heat went over our heads on Centre Street and set shoes on fire in the windows on the south side. Incidentally - Joseph Gibbon sentenced to 140 years in jail June 5, 1945 - Spruce Street School damaged March 3, 1946 - Eagles Social Club fire January 6, 1948 - 1200 block on South Side of East Mahanoy St, $50, 000 damage January 16, 1948 - St. Paul’s Evangelical and Reformed Church Fire, now United Church of Christ, $100,000 damage February 13, 1948 - Fire at residences of Herbert Noakes and James Miles on the North Side of the unit block on East Mahanoy St June 27, 1948 - Morris Jnowity factory fire - cause lightning. Damage $116,000 (Note by transcriber. Believe name should be spelled Janov) June 14, 1949 - Fire in Skidmore vein opposite 100 block West Maple St. Declared out June 19, 1949 February 28, 1950 - Fire 200 block, South Side of West Centre - Gorman Estate, Recklitis, Dunlap and Cook properties damaged October 13, 1950 - Fire in M. Janorrity Bldg. On S. Main St. Damage to Herman Coffee Clothing Store, Golin Cigar Store, Roberts and Janovity Apts. (Note by transcriber…Believe the name should be Janov). October 24, 1950 - Springdale Shaft, Buck vein. Declared out November 2 December 13, 1950 - V.F.W. Grill, East Centre St February 5, 1951 - Julin property, 108-110 West Centre St June 30, 1951 - Coyle Estate property, 301-303 West Centre St May 20, 1955 - 11 persons made homeless by fire which extensively damaged five dwellings on the North Side of the 100 block on East Pine St. John Brady family 131, David Burnham family 133, William Richelderfer family, 135 E. Pine, Miss Mary Anstock 137, Mr. & Mrs. Clayton Smith, 139, Robert Fisher family, 129 Pine and Eugene Witchey family at 134 East Market November 29, 1958 - First fire in General Cigar Plant - panel board December 6, 1958 - Fire in North Side, 300 block West Mahanoy Ave., damaging 4 homes - Keating, Cisarick, Copley and Hasara Estate December 29, 1958 - Fire in West Side of South Main St., Janonritch, Geguzis Apts and others. Second fire in this location. Lost estimated at $500,000. Herman Coffee lost his life in this fire (Note by transcriber…believe the surname should be spelled Janov). October 9, 1960 - South Side of 200 block on East Centre Street, from Rainbow Inn at 2nd & Centre St to Clara Grazel Beauty Shop. This occurred on day after the Schuylkill County Firemen’s Convention was held in Mahanoy City. 22 persons homeless January 10, 1963 - V.F. W. Social Room January 15, 1965 - 101, 103, 105, 07, 109 West Spruce Street December 1966 - Fire on North Side of 100 Block East Centre Street; Domson & Kaska properties January 18, 1968 - 12 Dwellings are involved in 600 block, South Side of East Mahanoy Ave. 23 persons left homeless, estimated damage $175, 000. 601 to 623 involved March 16, 1968 - Fire destroyed the Artcraft Bldg. Formerly Lewis Flour and Feed Mill at 2nd and Railroad Sts May 20, 1968 - Fire at Donellas Electric Store and Luke’s Flower Shop located on the South Side of 200 block on East Centre St July 14, 1968 - Fire at Robert Wagner, Fred Pearson and Paul Eck residences on the South Side of the 500 block on East Market St May 16, 1971 - Fire destroys 40 new and used automobiles and trucks at John P. Schaar Co. Buick garage on East Vine St. Damage estimated in excess of $200,000 with the premises being gutted. June ?, 1971 - St. Fidelis Hall on 300 block East South St destroyed. There was a small fire in 1970 at the same building February 8, 1975 - Mahanoy City’s Second Worst Fire - 3- Mahanoy City people without homes. The flames gutted practically every business front, except McLaren’s Auto Supply Co. located in the 200 block on South Side of West Centre St. Most of the same block was destroyed by fire in August 1965. September 1, 1975 - A nine hour blaze gutted a half block in the 100 block on the South Side of East Centre St causing damages estimated at between $250,000 and $1 million. Eight persons were made homeless, six firemen injured, three buildings were destroyed and several others badly damaged. (Note: There is a handwritten correction that changes South to North) July 4, 1977 - For the second time in 17 years, over half of the South Side of the 200 block on East Centre Street was destroyed by fire, making 20 persons homeless and loss estimated at $250,000. This was the same area damaged by fire on October 10, 1960 January 29, 1978 - Fire in the eastern end of the South Side of the 500 block of East Mahanoy Ave. Damages in excess of $50,000 and eight people left homeless August 26, 1978 - Fire affected the North Side of the 200 block on West Centre Street. Buildings damaged or destroyed were between the Whalen Drug Store and Guinans Dept. Store. This fire was located across the street from the fire of February 8, 1975 March 25, 1980 - Ten homes were gutted and another sustained considerable smoke and water damage in the 300 block on the South Side of East Centre St. It took almost 7 ½ hours to contain the fire, and left 30 occupants homeless. Smoke and water damages were also suffered by six residences in the rear on East Market St. January 9, 1982 - Fire, as the result of an explosion of propane gas, damaged or destroyed six homes on the South Side of the 900 block on East Centre St. Fourteen people were left homeless and one woman killer and her husband seriously injured with burns November 17, 1984 - Mahanoy City Lumber and Supply Co. six homes damaged by fire and nine people left homeless January 4, 1985 - Fire destroyed back building of City Shirt Factory located on North Side of Vine St. 2 other large buildings were heavily damaged in this fire June 15, 1985 - Blaze destroyed the former Saint Nicholas School building when fire ripped through the empty building November 5, 1985 - Fire destroyed apartment bldg. On North Side of lst block on West Centre St. 1 woman lost her life in this fire March 11, 1986 - A propane gas explosion destroyed 5 homes in the 400 block of West Pine St 3 homes were fully involved when firemen arrived on the scene PAST PRESIDENTS: Wm. E. Jones - 1893, 1894 J.A. Brownmiller - 1895, 1896 Wm. Bradbury 0 1897, 1898 J. Frank - 1899-1901 Thomas Davis - 1902, 1903 L.V. Rausch - 1904-1907 George Heinze - 1908, 1909 James Painter - 1915, 1916 George Heinze - 1917 Leroy Stein - 1918-1920 James Painter - 1929-1931 Dan Zilker - 1932, 1933 James Painter - 1934, 1935 H. Schaetzline, 1936 George Heinze, 1937-1939 George Wheat - 1940-1943 James Painter - 1944, 1945 John Wertz, Sr., 1946 Ed Dougherty, 1947-1949 John Wertz, Sr. - 195- Daniel Brown - 1951, 1952 Ed Dougherty - 1953-1955 John Wertz, Sr. - 1956 Howard Holman - 1957, 1958 Thomas Rosser - 1959 - 1967 Roland Harper - 1968, 1969 Paul Macleary - 1970-1972 Roland Harper - 1973 - 1977 Howell W. Davis - 1978-1986 .txt