Tangier in Accomack County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Tangier Volunteer Fire Department

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, August 13, 2017

1. Tangier Volunteer Fire Department Marker

Inscription.
The Tangier Volunteer Fire Department was established in 1964 and moved to this location in 1983.

Fire is especially dangerous on a small island. where wooden houses are close together, allowing fire to spread quickly, especially when fanned by the winds of the Bay.

Originally, each family had its own leather fire bucket. and when the alarm sounded, everyone would come to form a bucket brigade from the nearest well.

The fire alarm is still tested every Saturday at noon.

(captions)
Albert Gingrich and the "New" Fire Engine - 1965
Fire truck ready to transport a deceased fireman to his final resting place - Kaye, 2007

Erected by Tangier History Museum & Interpretive Cultural Center.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Charity & Public Work. A significant historical year for this entry is 1964.

Location. 37° 49.345′ N, 75° 59.506′ W. Marker is in Tangier, Virginia, in Accomack County. Marker is on Main Ridge Road south of Canton Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 16344 Main Ridge Rd, Tangier VA 23440, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Patrick Benson House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Banty's Wharf (about

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

500 feet away); New Testament Congregation (about 600 feet away); Gravestones (about 800 feet away); Peter Crockett Store (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Doctor's House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Chesapeake House (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Peter Dise House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tangier.

Also see . . . Tangier History Museum and Interpretive Cultural Center. Find Your Chesapeake website entry (Submitted on August 14, 2017.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 4, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2017, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 256 times since then and 40 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on August 14, 2017, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.