Carlisle in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Union Fire Company
Walking Tour Stop 22
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 5, 2009
1. The Union Fire Company Marker
Inscription.
The Union Fire Company. Walking Tour Stop 22. , On April 6, 1789, a group of local real estate owners - worried about the possibility of fire in the borough - organized Carlisle's first volunteer fire company. They named and modeled it after the Union Fire Company of Philadelphia, the first fire company in Pennsylvania. From 1789 until 1819, members held meetings in the Courthouse. A two-story town hall, build in 1819, then housed fire apparatus on the first level and a meeting room upstairs. The town hall, the Courthouse, and the equipment burned in the great Courthouse Fire on March 24, 1845., In 1859, the company found a new home directly across the street from this marker on West Louther Street. It remained there until the construction of the original portion of this building in 1888. In 1977, the company completed a six-bay addition to the west side of the building., The company purchased its first steam-powered apparatus on May 16, 1870 from Silsby and Company for $4,000, buying a second Silsby in 1896. For over 40 years, volunteers drew these heavy pumpers by hand. Not until August 1, 1910, did horses begin pulling the apparatus to fires., On August 25, 1913, the first motor-driven equipment - a 1913 American LaFrance combination chemical and pumper - was pput into service, probably the first motorized fire equipment in the county. A newer, largere American LaFrance pumper, on display in the company museum, replaced it in December 1929. In December 1930 the company began providing the first rural service to Cumberland County with a Ford pumper and service engine, soon replaced by a 1935 Hahn., Proud of its heritage from the 1820's when it began using a hand pumper to replace bucket brigades, to its early use of self-contained breathing apparatus in the 1950's, the Union Fire Company has been an innovator in fire prevention and control. It carries on its legacy as one of the oldest continually operating fire companies in the United States.
On April 6, 1789, a group of local real estate owners - worried about the possibility of fire in the borough - organized Carlisle's first volunteer fire company. They named and modeled it after the Union Fire Company of Philadelphia, the first fire company in Pennsylvania. From 1789 until 1819, members held meetings in the Courthouse. A two-story town hall, build in 1819, then housed fire apparatus on the first level and a meeting room upstairs. The town hall, the Courthouse, and the equipment burned in the great Courthouse Fire on March 24, 1845.
In 1859, the company found a new home directly across the street from this marker on West Louther Street. It remained there until the construction of the original portion of this building in 1888. In 1977, the company completed a six-bay addition to the west side of the building.
The company purchased its first steam-powered apparatus on May 16, 1870 from Silsby & Company for $4,000, buying a second Silsby in 1896. For over 40 years, volunteers drew these heavy pumpers by hand. Not until August 1, 1910, did horses begin pulling the apparatus to fires.
On August 25, 1913, the first motor-driven equipment - a 1913 American LaFrance combination chemical and pumper - was pput into service, probably the first motorized fire equipment in the county. A newer, largere
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American LaFrance pumper, on display in the company museum, replaced it in December 1929. In December 1930 the company began providing the first rural service to Cumberland County with a Ford pumper and service engine, soon replaced by a 1935 Hahn.
Proud of its heritage from the 1820's when it began using a hand pumper to replace bucket brigades, to its early use of self-contained breathing apparatus in the 1950's, the Union Fire Company has been an innovator in fire prevention and control. It carries on its legacy as one of the oldest continually operating fire companies in the United States.
Location. 40° 12.191′ N, 77° 11.399′ W. Marker is in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in Cumberland County. Marker is at the intersection of Louther Street and Morris Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Louther Street. Fire station is between Hanover (US Route 11) and Pitt Streets. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 35 W Louther Street, Carlisle PA 17013, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 5, 2009
2. The Union Fire Company c.1888 Station and Marker
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 5, 2009
3. The Union Fire Company Station and Marker
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 5, 2009
4. Silsby Steamer Pic on Union Fire Co Marker
[Caption reads] Taken about 1880, proud Union Fire Company volunteers stand next to their Silsby Steam Pumper, which they would pull by hand to every emergency.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 5, 2009
5. 1913 Union Fire Co Engine Pic on Marker
[Caption reads] This 1913 American-LaFrance engine could pump water, and also carried a full complement of chemical fire extinguishers to battle every kind of blaze.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 5, 2009
6. Union Fire Co 1935 Hahn Pumper Pic on Marker
[Caption reads] This heavy duty 1935 Hahn pumper gave the company's volunteers the traction they needed to get to rural fires along the often muddy back roads of Cumberland County.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 5, 2009
7. Union Fire Company Pumper Truck
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 5, 2009
8. Union Fire Company Banner
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 5, 2009
9. Union Fire Company Banner
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 5, 2009
10. Union Fire Company Memorabilia
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 5, 2009
11. Union Fire Company Hose Carrier
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 5, 2009
12. Union Fire Company Station
Before door change.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 5, 2009
13. Union Fire Co Station Door Windows
Seen in photo to left.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 5, 2009
14. Union Fire Company World War Honor Roll
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 5, 2009
15. Union Fire Co Station Porthole Window
Below bell steeple.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 5, 2009
16. Union Fire Co Meeting Room & Museum
Porthole window at upper left.
Photographed By Larry Gertner, April 11, 2011
17. The Union Fire Company memorial plaque and "The Fireman's Prayer"
Credits. This page was last revised on March 17, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 18, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 950 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. submitted on May 18, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 17. submitted on June 5, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.