Reading in Berks County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Volunteer Firemen
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., July 4, 2009
1. Volunteer Firemen Memorial Dedication
of more than a hundred
years of faithful,
unselfish and often heroic
service rendered by the
Volunteer Firemen
of the City of Reading, Pa.
———
“Greater love hath no man than
this: that a man lay down his
life for his fellow-man.”
———
Erected September 2, 1901.
Rainbow [Fire Company] No. 1
Instituted March 17, 1773.
Andrew F. Baer Pres.
Junior No. 2
Instituted Dec. 2, 1813.
John H. Ruth Pres.
Reading Hose No. 1
Instituted July 4, 1819.
William F. Weber Pres.
Neversink No. 3
Instituted April 14, 1829.
Harold Gbola[?] Pres.
Friendship No. 4
Instituted March 4, 1849.
John E. Phillippi Pres.
Liberty No. 5
Instituted Jan. 21, 1854
Charles S. Butler Pres.
Washington No. 2
Instituted Sept. 17, 1855.
Abr. J. Bowman Pres.
Keystone No. 1
Instituted Jan. 19, 1856
Edward Yeager Pres.
Hampden No. 6
Instituted Sept. 7, 1867.
S. E. Ancona Pres.
Marion No. 10
Instituted Oct. 1, 1881
George J. Y__vel[?] Pres.
Riverside No. 11
Instituted Jan. 27, 1890.
Charles H. Nisling Pres.
Schuylkill No. 12
Instituted Jan. 1, 1892,
Sherman N. N__erter Pres.
Union No. 13
Instituted March
this page online
John E. Clouser Pres.
Oakbrook No. 14
Instituted May 2, 1915,
Geo. H. Border Pres.
R.F.D. Under-Water Rescue
& Recovery Squad
Established Mar. 1962
Founder A. P. Batastini
Fire & Rescue Explorer Post #290
Established Mar. 15, 1975
Founder R. G. Lombardo
R.F.D. Canteen
Established May 10, 1975
Founder K. L. Houck
Erected 1901.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Charity & Public Work. A significant historical date for this entry is March 17, 1888.
Location. 40° 20.108′ N, 75° 54.94′ W. Marker is in Reading, Pennsylvania, in Berks County. It is at the intersection of Perkiomen Avenue (Business U.S. 422) and Penn Street, on the left when traveling east on Perkiomen Avenue. Memorial is along the western boundary of City Park at the eastern terminus of Penn Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Reading PA 19602, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania and specifically in Pennsylvania Dutch Country. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere,
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., July 4, 2009
2. Reading Volunteer Fire Companies
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Penn's Common (a few steps from this marker); Ringgold Light Artillery (within shouting distance of this marker); William McKinley (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Thomas W. Dugan Memorial Tree (about 800 feet away); Firemen's Union World War II Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Admiral Winfield Scott Schley U.S.N. Memorial Tree (approx. 0.2 miles away); World War I Memorial Tree (approx. 0.2 miles away); This Tree Is Dedicated To The Gold Star Mothers (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Reading.
Also see . . . Reading Fire History. City website entry (Submitted on July 14, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Additional commentary.
1. About the marker
While most firefighter memorials do not serve as historical markers on their own, this one does since it shares founders of various
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., July 4, 2009
3. Reading Volunteer Fire Companies
— Submitted May 26, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., July 4, 2009
4. Reading Volunteer Fire Companies
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., July 4, 2009
5. Reading Volunteer Fire Companies
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., July 4, 2009
6. Early Leadership on Volunteer Firemen Memorial
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., July 4, 2009
7. Steam Engine Relief on Volunteer Firemen Memorial
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., July 4, 2009
8. Reading Volunteer Firemen Memorial
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., July 4, 2009
9. Reading Volunteer Firemen Memorial Plaza
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., July 4, 2009
10. Volunteer Firemen Memorial Column
Note firehose wrapping around column.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., July 4, 2009
11. Volunteer Firemen Memorial Statue
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., July 4, 2009
12. Hook and Ladder on Volunteer Firemen Memorial
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., July 4, 2009
13. Trumpets on Volunteer Firemen Memorial
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., July 4, 2009
14. Hose on Volunteer Firemen Memorial
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., July 4, 2009
15. Axe and Mattock on Volunteer Firemen Memorial
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., July 4, 2009
16. 1991 Volunteer Fire Leadership
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., July 4, 2009
17. 1994 Volunteer Fire Leadership
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., July 4, 2009
18. 1996 Volunteer Fire Leadership
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., July 4, 2009
19. 2003 Volunteer Fire Leadership
Credits. This page was last revised on July 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 8, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,452 times since then and 37 times this year. Last updated on May 26, 2025, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. submitted on December 8, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
