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.
* * * * *
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
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
Labels: 1894, 1900, Celebration, City Island, City Island Fire Fighters, City Island Hook and Ladder, Fire House, Firemen, Fordham Avenue, Minneford Engine Company
posted by Blake A. Bell @ 4:45 AM
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