Southwestern Sacramento in Sacramento County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Sacramento Volunteer Fire Department

1850 – 1872

Sacramento's Volunteer Fire Department Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, June 2, 2013

1. Sacramento's Volunteer Fire Department Marker

Inscription. The Mutual Hook and Ladder Company, formed on February 5, 1850, was the first fire company in the State of California. It served with distinction until disbanded October 30, 1859.

On June 23, 1858, a grateful city donated this plot of ground to its Volunteer Fire Department for the internment of its deceased members. It is the only known maintained firemen’s plot west of the Mississippi.

Sacramento’s Fire Department consisted of six Engine Companies, one Hook and Ladder, and a Hose Company. The Volunteer Fire Department gallantly served the city until April 1, 1872 when an act by the state legislature established paid departments.

Erected by Pioneer Mutual Hook & Ladder, IAFF Local 522, Old City Cemetery Committee.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Government & Politics • Notable Events • Notable Places • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is February 5, 1850.

Location. 38° 33.803′ N, 121° 30.002′ W. Marker is in Sacramento, California, in Sacramento County. It is in Southwestern Sacramento. It is on Broadway. Marker is located at the Sacramento City Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1000 Broadway, Sacramento CA 95818, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Sacramento Valley

and specifically in the Central Valley.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Fireman’s Plot (here, next to this marker); Charles "Charley" King (within shouting distance of this marker); New Helvetia Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Marcus “Mark” Langley (within shouting distance of this marker); Newton Booth (within shouting distance of this marker); General George Wright (within shouting distance of this marker); City Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Sacramento City Cemetery / People of the Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sacramento.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Charles A. “Charlie” King (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

Historic Volunteer Fireman's Bell and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 13, 2008

2. Historic Volunteer Fireman's Bell and Marker

Marker is to the right of the bell

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, June 2, 2013

3. Sacramento's Volunteer Fire Department Marker

Plaque Located Under the Bell image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 13, 2008

4. Plaque Located Under the Bell

Exempt Fireman's Plot and Historic Fire Bell Restored by George A. King Retired Engineer SFD 1988 Erected by Ruhkala Monument Co. and Old City Cemetery Committee

Sacramento's Volunteer Fire Department cemetery plot image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, June 2, 2013

5. Sacramento's Volunteer Fire Department cemetery plot

Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 13, 2008

6. Fire Bell

This 1,900 steel fire bell, cast in 1859 in Sheffield, England, came around the Horn and was placed in service in 1863.

Historic Volunteer Fireman's Department Plot image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 13, 2008

7. Historic Volunteer Fireman's Department Plot

Volunteer Fireman's Plot image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, June 2, 2012

8. Volunteer Fireman's Plot

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 13, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,725 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 19, 2018, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. 2. submitted on October 13, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 3. submitted on January 19, 2018, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. 4. submitted on October 13, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 5. submitted on January 19, 2018, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. 6, 7. submitted on October 13, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 8. submitted on June 12, 2012, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.