Pioneer Fire Company

Pioneer Fire Company. . Since Fargo, North Dakota has had a formal government, there has been some form of fire protection for the city. The first Mayor, George Egbert, appointed Barney Griffin and L. B. Cornwall as the first two fire wardens on April 12, 1875. Early firefighters were volunteers who patrolled the city looking out for fires and fighting them in teams known as "bucket brigades." Ongoing fire problems led to Fargo's first fire ordinances in November 1877, and this expanded the growing department to add three more personnel. A hand pulled hook and ladder was delivered in December 1877 as the city's first firefighting tool and the first volunteer fire company, the Pioneer Fire Company, was established., The Pioneer Fire Company reorganized in Spring 1880 and renamed itself the Continental Hose Company No. 1. The company was officially chartered in October 1880. During this time, John Haggart was elected Chief Engineer and is recognized as Fargo's first Fire Chief. Other volunteer firefighters formed groups, such as the Fargo Hose Company No. 2 and the Yerxa Hose Company No. 3, to serve Fargo until 1903. Volunteer forces fought what became known as the Great Fargo Fire of 1893. The devastating flames left over 31 blocks of homes and businesses destroyed across 160 acres of land. Fargo established a paid, professional firefighting department in 1903. Fargo, West Fargo, and Casselton firefighters replicated an 1890s fire station at Bonanzaville in 1977 to display firefighting artifacts and serve as a memorial to past present, and future firefighters., (Caption) , Continental Hose Company No. 1