Welcome to Bristol Fire Company

Welcome to Bristol Fire Company. Market Street Heritage Trail. , The Bristol Fire Company's history is closely linked to the history of Bristol Borough. Located at Wood and Market Streets, it has been identified as one of the oldest continuously operating firehouses in the country. The Company was established in 1857 after two disastrous fires prompted the community to act. Later that year, the two story engine house was finished., In 1867, several fires, most notably the fire that destroyed Saint Mark Church, as well as several commercial establishments prompted the Borough Council to assist in defraying the expenses of the company. By 1872, the company celebrated ninety-two members and began purchases of new equipment, including a steamer., In 1873, the bell, weighing 1,423 pounds, was purchased having been formerly at the Union Street Station in Philadelphia. At first the bell was in a cupola, but in 1877 the present wooden bell tower was erected. In 1885, the bell was tolled for the memorial service of President Ulysses S. Grant., In August 1875, permission was granted for the Burgess and the Town Council to place a third story upon the engine house to be used as Council Chambers. The third floor was used as Council Chambers from 1875 to 1921., In 1886, a pair of horses were purchased and a brick stable was erected and joined to the engine house., In 1910, an automobile hose wagon-chemical apparatus was purchased, the first automobile fire apparatus in Bristol., In 1971, the brick stable was replaced with an engine house large enough to hold a modern ladder and rescue truck., [Photo captions, clockwise from top left, read] , . A horse-drawn hose wagon pictured in front of Bristol Fire Company's Wood Street facade., . Folks gathered for a photo on a chemical wagon belonging to Bristol Fire Company., . The fire station after 1877, depicting the addition of the 3rd floor. Firefighters, steamer and horses can be seen in the foreground., . A hose cart and steamer depicted inside of the fire station., . The original fire station, built in 1857, with firefighters and fire apparatus in the foreground.