General Warren Emergency Company #2

On May 15th, 1854 upon incorporation of the Village of Warren, the Warren Fire Department was formed. The push for incorporation of the Village was a direct result of a number of devastating fires that had visited the downtown area, and funding for permanent water supplies and for a new apparatus was approved at that meeting.

Although the Rescue Hook and Ladder Company was formed and responding from Liberty Street, its funding was by popular subscription. With the exception of several buckets hung on its frame, this company had no means or intentions of purchasing a pump. At the same time, another group of concerned citizens organized. They too had attempted subscription to fund a new pumper, but could not raise enough funds.

It was this group of citizens who were to form the Warren Engine Company #1 (* see note) that same evening in 1854, becoming the first organized fire company in the new Village of Warren. In the final step that night, in exchange for a body of men, the new Village was to accept Warren Engine Company #1 into the Warren Fire Department.

On September 1st, 1854, the Village of Warren purchased from Mr. Isaiah Millburn a building at what is now 36 Middle Street. The firehouse cost $700.00 and was used from 1854 -1936.

As you can see from this picture, the bay door has been bricked over, but is quite visible. The flagstaff also still remains. At $700.00, the price was high for those days, but the location on Middle Street was centralized and would have been a valuable location at that time. After we vacated this building in 1883, the Triumph Hose Company was to move in.

A picture of the Middle Street Firehouse Circa 1920

Up until 1880 Rescue had been meeting in Osborne Hall on Liberty Street but in this year a new building was erected for them opposite General Warren on the North side of Middle Street. At meeting of the Board of Trustees held March 6th, 1882 a resolution was passed to raise the sum of $1000 for the purpose of purchasing a suitable house for General Warren Engine Company No. 1 and passed by the taxpayers on March 22nd. This new building was built on the west side of the building then occupied by Rescue in 1883 and the Foreman was advised at meeting of the Village Board of December 5th, 1883 that the new house was ready for use.

At meeting of the Board held January 7, 1884 the Foreman, Frederick Glassing, Jr. was presented with 36 keys for new engine house for No. 1. The company was still in possession of the hand engine and several more cisterns had been constructed throughout the village one of which was in the street in front of the new fire-house. General Warren’s quarters on the left, or west side of the building.

This cistern was pictured in front of the Rescue Hook and Ladder#1 quarters on Middle Street. This cistern was dug around1880, when the building was built. This relic was covered over when new sidewalks were installed some time later. Old cisterns, as well as coal, cold storage, can be found under many sidewalks in Haverstraw.

In 1980, filming for the movie Ragtime was to commence on Middle Street. The production required a firehouse and infrastructure circa 1910. The Middle Street location was ‘transformed’ using set peices and was where Coalhouse Walker Jr. was and his car were waylaid by the firemen. Ragtime was to be nominated for 8 Academy Awards including Best Art Direction and Set Decoration.

Middle Street 2008   B is 1854 firehouse  A is 1883 firehouse

Note:

* Hand Engine #1