Capen Hose Co. No.4 and Fire Museum

Capen Hose Co. No.4 and Fire Museum. . , 1. Our first building (right) served us from 1893-1905. It was located on Main Street next to the railroad tracks north of our current building. In front is the 1889 hose cart., Two members exemplify the spirit of Capen Hose: One, D. Scott or "Scotty" Warthman (b:1943-d:2003) was a fire service historian, antique apparatus restorer and accomplished gold leaf artist. He promoted the construction of the Firefighters Memorial Monument., 2. Our current building, erected in 1905, is seen here without the front balcony (added in 1911), the north wing (added in 1950) and the east wing (added in 1968). In front is a company parade contingent., George (affectionately called "Chubby") Churchill (b:1907-d:1994) is another company spirit. An active member for 68 years, he was involved in all aspects of the company's growth and progress, and served on all truck committees from 1930 through 1990. Both Chubby and Scotty's lifelong dedication to Capen Hose, BFD and fire service was an inspiration for many., 3. Brockport's first gasoline powered apparatus was purchased by Capen Hose: A 1914 International Motor Hose and Chemical Truck seen here on Main Street. This view is to the west between King and Clinton Streets., 4. Our restored 1930 Seagrave pumper, as seen in 1984, with Ralph Browne (driving) and Chubby Churchill., 5. Company fundraising efforts to purchase fire apparatus and maintain the property we owned included carnivals, minstrel shows, bingo, breakfasts and dinners. In later years municipal funding helped supplement our budget., Capen Hose Co. No.4 was named after F. F. Capen (b:1835-d:1898), a prominent Village of Brockport and Town of Sweden citizen who helped develop this company through financial and other means-although he never became a member of the company. He was a local industrialist who served as Town of Sweden Supervisor 1870 and 1871 and Village President (Mayor) 1889 through 1892. He established the Moore-Shafer Shoe Company and Brockport Piano Co. (known for the Capen Piano), and was also very active in the Brockport Grange., (Center Chart):, Capen Hose members who served as Chief of Department , 1. Charles Bailey; 1936-1939 , 2. George S. Churchill; 1943-1945 , 3. George Clark; 1952-1954 , 4. Earl Siegfried; 1960-1962 , 5. Charles Smith; 1968-1971 , 6. D. Scott Warthman; 1979-1980 , 7. Norman J. Knapp; 1981-1983 , 8. Michael L. LaDue; 2016-2017, Auxiliary , Capen Hose Ladies Auxiliary (1922-ca.1980), Trucks , 1990 - 2009 Pierce 1500 GPM Pumper , 1969 - 1990 Seagrave 1250 GPM Pumper, first diesel apparatus w/automatic transmission , 1964 - 1979 Dodge Emergency/Brush Truck , 1956 - 1964 Chevrolet Tournament/Emergency Truck , 1951 - 1969 Seagrave 750 GPM Pumper , 1930 - 1951 Seagrave 500 GPM Pumper repurchased and restored , 1924 - 1930 Packard Motor Hose and Chemical Truck , 1914 - 1924 International Motor Hose and Chemical Truck , 1911 - 1914 Everready Chemical Cart , 1898 - 1914 Rumsey Hose Carriage , 1889 - 1898 Hose Cart, Grey in color, Hose Houses , 1893 - 1905 First House , 1905 - Present Current House and Fire Museum , 1950 North wing added , 1968 East wing added , 1987 Capen Hose Fire Museum dedicated, . Village of Brockport incorporated in 1829 , . Modernized Fire Department formed following the major Market Street fire of January 12, 1877 , . Capen Hose organized 1889 , . Capen Hose accepted by the Vilage Board as a fire company in 1893 , . Grey Ghost Exempt Association formed to restore 1930 pumper in 1967 , . Five Fire Companies consolidated to form the Brockport Firefighters Association, Inc., in 2006 , . Brockport Fire District established in 2012