Pottstown in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Philadelphia Steam Engine Fire Co. #1
Historic Pottstown Walking Tour
After a series of bad fires in 1870, Borough Council recognized the need for a local fire company and sent representatives to Philadelphia to purchase their first piece of equipment, a hand drawn pumper apparatus, from the Philadelphia Fire Company #18. On January 3, 1871, with the help of some local men Pottstown's first fire company, the Philadelphia Fire Company of Pottstown, was formed. In June of 1871, they added a horse-drawn Silsby steam engine apparatus and became the Philadelphia Steam Engine Fire Company #1 (nicknamed the “Phillies”) at their incorporation on August 21, 1871.
The Phillies first firehouse was located on the south side of the 100 block of King Street. On October 5, 1876, members voted to buy the lot at 240 Chestnut Street where the firehouse stands today. Construction began on September 6, 1878. All the construction was done by members of the company. T.L. Yergey was in charge of the masonry and brick work, and Frank Fegley supervised the building supplies and furnished the materials. The approximate cost was $13,000.00. The dedication ceremony was held on June 12, 1880. There have been only two renovations to the firehouse over the years, one in the 1930's to change the doors for bigger equipment and in the 1940's to move the social quarters from the basement to the second level replacing the parlor that had been used for meetings.
The Phillies have always been committed to supporting the needs of Pottstown's residents, as well as those of the community as a whole; volunteering many hours beyond those required to perform the “regular” activities of a volunteer fire company. This tradition still exists, and we hope that due to the effort of its dedicated volunteers it will continue into the future.
—William Krause
Erected 2002 by Pottstown 250th Anniversary Committee.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Notable Buildings • Patriots & Patriotism. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1850.
Location. 40° 14.85′ N, 75° 38.907′ W. Marker is in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, in Montgomery County. Marker is at the intersection of Chestnut Street and Penn Street, on the right when traveling east on Chestnut Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pottstown PA 19464, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Potts Family Burial Ground (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Old Burial Ground (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Old Brick Church (about 400 feet away); The Pottstown News (about 700 feet away); St. Clair Mansion (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bahr Arcade (approx. 0.2 miles away); Weitzenkorn's Clothiers (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Security Trust Building (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pottstown.
Also see . . . Founding of the Pottstown Fire Department. (Submitted on October 30, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 30, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,865 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on October 30, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.