Pelham's Minneford Engine Company Built a New Fire House on City Island in 1894

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Pelham's Minneford Engine Company was a volunteer fire company that served City Island for more than a decade.  Research has not yet revealed the origins of the Minneford Engine Company, but it seems clear that it existed prior to February 20, 1891 since, according to one news report published on February 28, 1891, it was "re-organized as an independent company" as of that date.  See Fri., Aug. 28, 2009:  Reorganization of the Minneford Engine Company on City Island in February, 1891. (citing The Minneford Engine Co., New Rochelle Pioneer, Feb. 28, 1891, p. 3, col. 2.).

At the time of its "reorganization" in early 1891, the officers of the Minneford Engine Company were Jerome Bell, President; C. W. Bell, Secretary; George W. Guest, Foreman; Thomas Keller, 1st Assistant; Anderson Wilson, 2nd Assistant; Jacob Smith, Engineer; Daniel Piepgras, 1st Assistant.  Source: The Minneford Engine Co., New Rochelle Pioneer, Feb. 28, 1891, p. 3, col. 2.

By 1891, the Minneford Engine Company had its own steam boiler fire engine that had to be pulled to the fire and started to create the steam necessary to throw a stream of water onto a fire.  The steamer was nicknamed "Minneford" and, according to one account, on Monday, August 3, 1891, the Minneford Engine Company was scheduled to compete in a contest with other local engine companies from the region to determine which company could throw a stream of water through 1,000 feet of hose the greatest distance.  The prizes for which the various units competed were described as "two silver trumpets and a silver cup."  See To Contest for Silver Trumpets, New Rochelle Pioneer, Aug. 1, 1891, p. ?, col. 3 (the page number is not printed on the page).

By 1894, it was clear that the volunteers of the Minneford Engine Company needed a fire house in which to store their steam fire engine to protect it from the elements.  It was left to the volunteer firemen to address the need. 

The company owned a lot on the north side of Fordham Avenue between William Avenue and City Island Avenue.  After lengthy preparations, on Saturday, June 23, 1894, the members of the Minneford Engine Company began constructing a fire house for their steamer.  Plans called for a frame structure 20 by 40 feet, with a height of twenty feet from the floor to the peak of the roof.  Plans further called for the structure to be divided into two rooms, one of which would house the steamer and the other of which would be used as a meeting room. 

The volunteer firemen constructed the engine house themselves in about a week.  On Saturday and Sunday, June 23 and 24, they leveled the lot and sank rocks to support the foundation.  They also laid out the foundation.  The following day (Monday), they set the foundation posts and built the sills into position.  On Tuesday, framing for the structure was completed.  The following day. the rafters were installed and installation of siding began.  The laying of the flooring began, but "lack of material prevented two thirds of it being done."  On Thursday, June 28,  the siding was completed.  Friday the shingling of the roof began and most of it was completed.  The following evening (Saturday, June 30, 1894), though the building remained unfinished, the steam boiler engine of the Minneford Engine Company was stored inside the building for the first time.   

Both the Minneford Engine Company and all of City Island were proud of the new engine house.  The local newspaper, The City Island Drift, crowed:   "One thing quite noticeable about the new engine house is that the engine can be drawn in and turned after it is in, this being a decided advantage over backing it in."  

On Friday, July 20, 1894, the Minneford Engine Company hosted a large "Chowder" to celebrate the construction of the new engine house.  The firemen cooked twenty gallons of chowder and entertained about 75 guests on the grounds of the new engine house.  After cooking the chowder for most of the day, in the evening they hung red and white lit lanterns to signal that the chowder was ready.  The guests streamed in.  

Among those invited to the Chowder were the members of what was then the only other volunteer fire-fighting unit on City Island:  the City Island Hook & Ladder Company.  Though the two companies worked together, there was -- as one might expect -- a healthy sense of competition between them.  The construction of the new engine house by the Minneford Engine Company had lit a competitive fire.  Indeed, the local newspaper wrote:  "This event has practically set the fire service of the island on its feet, and fresh fuel has been added to the enthusiasm.  The two forces in the field have a common interest, as one interlocks the other.  Either one in itself is a working factor, but neither is complete without the other."

It was now the City Island Hook & Ladder Company's move.  In fact, The City Island Drift reported "In the fall we may look for a building in which to house the hook and ladder truck.  This will be another event, no doubt, and thus a home for the company be made."  

City Island was maturing into a more modern era. . . .

Members of the Minneford Engine Company with Their

Steamer Nicknamed "Minneford."  Photograph Taken in

About 1900 After City Island Was Annexed by New York

City and Not Long Before the Volunteer Fire Fighting Unit

Was Disbanded.  Photograph Courtesy of the Digital

Collections of the Office of The Historian of The Town

of Pelham.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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Below is the transcribed text of a number of articles about the construction of the Minneford Engine Company's new engine house during the summer of 1894.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"ENGINE CO. AGAIN
-----

An organization with less backbone and grit than is found in the Engine Company would have yielded to the many discouragements, and gone out of existence, had they had to fight as much opposition and discouragement as the company has since their first organization.  Their trials came from the start, and a brief review of their short history reveals the fact that they have always come out with flying colors.

The condition now existing is the means of instilling a greater amount of zeal and enthusiasm, once the mark'd energy that has been display'd in bringing matters to a finish reveals the earnestness existing in that body.  So despite the unfavorable conditions, we are positive that some day not far hence, we can boast of a fine engine house."

Source:  ENGINE CO. AGAIN, The City Island Drift, Jun. 23, 1894, p. 2, cols. 1-2.  

"A NEW ENGINE.
-----

Last Saturday, according to prediction, the firemen began active operations toward putting up an engine house.on their lot on the north side of Fordham Ave.  They began to level off the ground, sink rocks, and lay out the foundation.  Monday the foundation posts were set and the sills in position.  Tuesday the frame was put up.  Wednesday evening the rafters were on and the siding well under way.  The floor was being hurried, and the lack of material prevented two thirds of it being done.  Thursday the siding was completed.  Friday the shingling was begun and at five o'clock

4th [sic] page 

NEW ENGINE HOUSE
-----

quite a piece on both sides had been done.  Tonight it is expected to put the engine in her new home.  The building is a frame structure 20 by 40 feet, with a height of twenty feet from the floor to the peak of the roof.  It will be divided into two rooms one of which will be used as a meeting room.  When the building is completed, and has received a coat of paint, it will present a neat appearance."

Source:  A NEW ENGINE, The City Island Drift, Jun. 30, 1894, p. 1, col. 1 & p. 5, col. 1.  

"The fire engine was taken into her own building on the evening of June 30.  The house was not completed, but has since been finished up, and now is in shape for use."

Source:  [Untitled], The City Island Drift, Jul. 14, 1894, p. 4, col. 3.  

"DRIFTLETS! . . .

One thing quite noticeable about the new engine house is that the engine can be drawn in and turned after it is in, this being a decided advantage over backing it in."

Source:  DRIFTLETS!, The City Island Drift, Jul. 21, 1894, p. 1, col. 3.  

"FIREMEN HAVE A CHOWDER
-----

All the afternoon Friday, John Williams stood over the iron pot containing about twenty gallons of what would eventually become chowder, and stirred and stirred in the roasting sun, adding the different condiments from time to time to give it the proper flavor when, about six o'clock the red shirts began to show up, and he was relieved.  

It was later in the evening when the red and white lanterns were hung aloft, denoting that all was ready, and that those invited could indulge in a good taste of chowder.  And it was pronounced good too.  The C.I. Hook & Ladder Co. had been invited, besides a number of others, especial friends of the company and those who had helped on the building.  How many dined cannot be told but it is estimated that at least seventy five were entertained.  The evening was spent pleasantly in conversation and social intercourse.  

This event has practically set the fire service of the island on its feet, and fresh fuel has been added to the enthusiasm.  The two forces in the field have a common interest, as one interlocks the other.  Either one in itself is a working factor, but neither is complete without the other.  

That the firemen have worked hard to obtain present results needs no proof.  A splendid house in good condition; not finished, but answering all purposes until it can be finished; prospects as bright as ever and wits sharpened by experience, the company have great reason to celebrate.  The intention is to ceil this building with some light material, oil it nicely, and then the inside will be completed.  The grounds around the building will be nicely clean'd and the sidewalk improved, then we will have a respectable 'fire house' to show our visitors.

In the fall we may look for a building in which to house the hook and ladder truck.  This will be another event, no doubt, and thus a home for the company be made."

Source:  FIREMEN HAVE A CHOWDER, The City Island Drift, Jul. 21, 1894, p. 2, cols. 1-3.

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The Code Used on the City Island Fire Bell in the Late 19th Century Used for Fire Alarms

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In early 1894, City Island, Pelham Bay Park and the islands in Long Island Sound off the shores of Pelham Bay Park were still part of the Town of Pelham.  It would be, at the time, about a year later before New York City annexed the area, removing City Island, Pelham Bay Park, and nearby islands from the Town of Pelham.

City Island was the most densely-populated area of the Town of Pelham with approximately 1,800 residents living and working principally in wooden structures.  Fire was a very real risk and could be quite devastating.  Consequently, by the early 1890s, a fire district within the Town of Pelham covering City Island was created.  Three volunteer fire-fighting units were created within the district:  the Minneford Engine Company the Minneford Hose Company, and the City Island Hook & Ladder Company.  

I have written a little about the history of these early Pelham fire-fighting units before.  See:

Tue., Dec. 08, 2009:  The Darling Triplets: Three Brothers Among Pelham's Earliest Firefighters.

Thu., Oct. 08, 2009:  Firefighting Units on City Island in Pelham During the Early 1890s. 

Mon., Aug. 31, 2009:  Contest in 1891 To Determine Which Steam Fire Engine Company Could Throw a Stream the Greater Distance.

Fri., Aug. 28, 2009:  Reorganization of the Minneford Engine Company on City Island in February, 1891.   

I also have written about a number of significant 19th century fires fought by City Island volunteer firemen.  See, e.g., Fri., Nov. 20, 2015:  Account of 1894 Fire in One of Pelham's Earliest Newspapers.  

One of the fire districts of the Town of Pelham during the 1890s covered City Island.  On May 21, 1894, the Fire Commissioners for the district met in the City Island office of George E. Reynolds, Secretary of the Commission.  Those who attended, in addition to Reynolds, were William E. Lowndes, Herbert Hegeman, and D. J. Turner (Treasurer of the Commission).  The Fire Commissioners voted to divide City Island into four sub-districts.  They were:

The First  Sub-District:  extending from the northern point of City Island to the center of Ditmar Avenue.

The Second Sub-District:  extending from the center of Ditmar Avenue to the center of Fordham Avenue.

The Third Sub-District:  extending from the center of Fordham Avenue to the center of Scofield Avenue.

The Fourth Sub-District:  extending from the center of Scofield Avenue to the southern point of City Island.

Interestingly, the Commissioners announced that the Trustees of the Local M.F. Church had granted consent to use the church bell as an official fire alarm bell.  The Trustees also had agreed that the church janitor "or any of his assistants" would serve as the official alarm bell ringer.  The Commission further announced an interesting "CODE OF SIGNALS" so that the number and frequency of rings would signal the district within which a fire erupted.  The code was quite simple.  It was described as follows:  "The code of signals for use in all cases of fire are as follows:  -  Five strokes of the bell in rapid succession indicates an alarm, then a short pause, after which the number of strokes given, will indicate in which district the fire is located."  Thus, for example, five strokes - pause - one stroke, would ndicate that a fire was located somewhere in the First Sub-District between the northern point of City Island and the center of Ditmar Avenue.  

Map of Town of Pelham with Inset of City Island, 1868.

Source: Beers, F.W., Atlas of New York and

Vicinity, p. 35 (NY, NY: Beers, Ellis & Soule, 1868).

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Below is a transcription of the brief article from The City Island Drift describing the vote of the City Island Fire Commissioners and the implementation of the fire bell code.  It is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"FIREMEN!
A SYSTEMAT [sic] SERVICE WELL UNDER WAY.
-----

The Fire Commissioners at their meeting on Monday night, May 21, 1894, held in the office of the secretary subdivided Fire District No. 1 into four (4) sub-districts as follows:  - from the northern point of City Island to the center of Ditmar Ave., shall be known as the First Sub-district; from the center of Ditmar Ave., to the center of Fordham Ave., shall be known as the Second Sub-district; from the center of Fordham Ave., to the center of Scofield Ave., shall be known as the Third sub-district; from the center of Scofield Ave., to the southern point of City Island, shall be known as the Fourth sub-district.

The consent of the Trustees of the M. F. Church has been secured for the use of the church bell as an official alarm for the present.

CODE OF SIGNALS. -- The code of signals for use in all cases of fire are as follows: - Five strokes of the bell in rapid succession indicates an alarm, then a short pause, after which the number of strokes given, will indicate in which district the fire is located.

Thus, five strokes - pause - one stroke, indicates that a fire is located somewhere between the north point and Ditmar Ave.

The alarm will be repeated in the same anner, ,and continued to the judgment of the bell-ringer who is the janitor of the church or any of his assistants.

Fire Commissioners   {

Wm E. Lowndes.
Geo. E. Reynolds Secty.
Herbert Hegeman.
D. J. Turner, Treas."

Source:  FIREMEN!  A SYSTEMAT [sic] SERVICE WELL UNDER WAY, The City Island Drift, May 26, 1894, p. 3, cols. 1-2.  

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Firefighting Units on City Island in Pelham During the Early 1890s

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 For decades, Pelham's Town Historians have confined their research on the development of fire fighting units in Pelham to those units that evolved in Pelhamville and in Pelham Manor.  However, a number of volunteer fire fighting units arose in the early 1890s on City Island which was part of the Town of Pelham at the time.


I have undertaken an effort to research these early City Island volunteer fire fighting units.  Although I have only begun the effort, so far it appears that there is very little that is easily available regarding their histories.


Catherine A. Scott, who authored "Images of America:  City Island and Orchard Beach" (Great Britain:  1999, Reissued 2004), included a little information on the units in her book first published in 1999.  The information is included as a caption beneath a photograph said to depict firefighters from the Minneford Engine House.  The caption suggests that three volunteer fire fighting companies arose in City Island before the area was annexed by New York City in the mid-1890s:  Minneford Engine Company, Minneford Hose Company and the City Island Hook & Ladder Company.  The caption for the photograph reads as follows:


"Firefighters from the Minneford Engine House, a volunteer fire company on Fordham Street between William Avenue and City Island Avenue, pose c. 1900.  This was one of three volunteer fire companies protecting City Island.  The others were the Minneford Hose Company and the City Island Hook & Ladder.  In 1893 the three companies acquired a steamer fire engine, nicknaming it the 'Minneford.'  The men sponsored picnics to raise money for churches and other benefits."


Source:  Scott, Catherine A., Images of America:  City Island and Orchard Beach, p. 31 (Great Britain:  1999, Reissued 2004).  


Unsourced information in the history section of the unofficial Web site devoted to the New York City Fire Department roughly supports the references made by Catherine Scott.  The site asserts that three volunteer fire fighting units on City Island were disbanded on August 1, 1899, several years after New York City annexed the area.  According to the site, those units were:  "City Island Ladder 2", "Minneford Engine" and "Minneford Hose".  See Boucher, Mike, Bronx Volunteer Fire Departrents [sic] Information Compiled and Donated to The FDNY Home Page by Mike Boucher Dispatcher 350 SI Co. (visited Oct. 8, 2009).


Much more research must be done.  The information above, however, is a start.

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