The Story of Historic Kingston

The Story of Historic Kingston. Then and Now. , Fire was a big threat in Kingston's early days. Houses were built with wood, and flammable chimneys sat atop thatched roofs made from mud mixed with twigs, straw, or grass. Brick chimneys later became standard. Skirmishes with the indigenous population added to the threat, with flaming arrows shot into houses, even over the walls of the Stockade. Fires were of course necessary for heating homes and cooking. Churchgoers kept themselves warm by using heated stones under their feet; a fire was maintained in the courtyard for reheating them. The Dutch colony appointed fire wardens beginning in 1648. To combat the frequent blazes, every community had a fire well and home dwellers were required to keep a full pail of water by the door. Bucket brigades tackled fires by passing water pails from person to person. Cisterns were placed around villages until piping was installed. , In 1754 the first wheeled fire truck , the Newsham , was delivered from England, as colonists were prohibited from manufacturing such equipment themselves. It had a hand-operated water pump, was pulled along by men, and remained in service until destroyed during the Burning of Kingston in 1777. , The Wiltwyck Hose Company on Fair Street began in 1857. The building was originally constructed as a Firemen's Hall. Two of the original companies that occupied the building were the Eagle H. and L. No. 1 and Washington No. 3. Wiltwyck joined in 1860, although meeting notes imply they did not get along. In 1872 Kingston's first Common Council meeting was held at the fire station; later they took place in City Hall. In 1907 the company shifted to a partially paid one. Wiltwyck Hose stayed in the building until 1979 when the Wiltwyck Fire Station that now stands on Frog Alley opened. , The Kingston Fire Department was founded shortly after the villages of Rondout and Kingston merged in 1872, and joined with the volunteer fire companies in 1880. A gravity-operated hydrant system was installed in 1883. The city currently has four fire stations , three paid and one volunteer , and 900 fire hydrants. , The Volunteer Firemen’s Hall and Museum (behind you across the street) was founded in 1980 and opened to the public in 1982 at the original Wiltwyck Firehouse (top). It contains an impressive collection of the county's firefighting history, including artifacts, equipment, memorabilia, and photographs, and holds an annual Antique Fire Engine Muster every August, a community favorite. , Excerpted from our 500-page book, The Story of Historic Kingston, featuring 950 images. The book is for sale online and at local shops. Information about all Blauweiss Media's books, films, exhibitions, presentations, walks, talks, and more can be found on our website (below). , Designed and created by Blauweiss Media. Printed and installed by Timely Signs. , HudsonValleyHistoryAndArt.com