| FVNCA FERRY VILLAGE SOUTH PORTLAND, MAINE 04106 |
Engine One - Ferry Village Volunteer Hose Company The history of the South Portland Fire Department begins back in 1860 when the city was part of the Town of Cape Elizabeth. The more populated area of town (now South Portland) wanted some type of fire protection. So at one of the town meetings, a group of citizens asked for an appropriation of seventy-five dollars to be used to purchase hook and ladder equipment. At a town meeting on March 24, 1874, the citizens voted to build a reservoir in Knightville under the sidewalk at Bridge and C Streets. Since the town had no organized fire company, it is believed the reservoir was used by the Portland Fire Department which would cross the bridge to assist with large fires. After a number of these large fires, such as the 1892 fire which destroyed the ferry boat Cornelia H. along with much of the ferry landing and a fish market, residents called for an organized fire department. On the evening of September 21, 1892, at a meeting at the old Union Opera House on the corner of Monroe and School Streets, the citizens of Ferry Village organized South Portland's first volunteer fire company -- Volunteer Hose Company No. 1. Two days after the meeting, the company acquired a building on School Street at a value of $200.00. Photo courtesy of SPPFFA. Engine One Fire Station - circa 1893. Click on photo for larger view. Next Page |
