The Early Volunteer Days
1763 - 1834
..In that same year,1763, the Mechanical Fire Company had the distinction of being the first of many volunteer fire companies to be organized in Baltimore. There is little doubt that the company was formed in anticipation of engines being acquired for the company’s use by means of the lottery.
..“The Baltimore Fire-Engine and Wharf Lottery”, as it was called, failed to yield the desired revenue, deferring the introduction of the engines to aid the company. Not deterred, they maintained their organization, and for nearly six years, methodically attacked fires with buckets, ladders, axes, and hooks from their quarters on Fayette St., near Gay St., adjoining the old court house. In 1812, they relocatred to the east side of North St., at Lexington St., and thirdly, in 1838, to Calvert St. opposite Mercer St.
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..The Mechanical company protected the town from fire without a rival for 19 years, before a second company was established.
..In 1782, The "Union Fire Company" was organized on the west side of town at Hanover and Camden St., as the second fire company in Baltimore, later relocated to Balderston St. between Charles St. and Light St. They obtained a small engine from Europe similar to that of the Mechanical company and it was named “Tick-Tack”.
..This marked the start of the multiplication of fire companies to compete for honors in this hazardous work, and serve a rapidly expanding Baltimore.
..In 1785, a third company was organized by dissatisfied persons who withdrew from the "Mechanical", and "Union" companies, and was known as the “Friendship Fire Company”, with quarters located on Fredrick St., south of Fayette St.
..As the marshy area east of town, known as Fells Point, was annexed, and filled in, streets were laid off, buildings erected, and a fire company established.
This company was organized in 1792, and was named “The Deptford Fire Company", location of original quarters not known. In 1828 located to a large building at Broadway and Fleet St., also shared by the "Columbian" and "Franklin" fire companies, and in 1844 to Gough St. and Dallas St.
..In 1794, the “Liberty Fire Company” was organized, with quarters established at Fayette and Liberty St. They were the last company to be instituted before incorporation of the city in 1797.
..It is noted that in the late 1700's, two fire companies known as the “Mercantile”, and “Commercial” were established, but there is little information on them, and they were most likely disbanded early on. Some surmise that they may have even been the same company.
..“The Mayor and City Council of Baltimore” was created a municipal corporation by act of the General Assembly of Maryland, and in 1797, the town of Baltimore became a city.
..In 1799 the “Federal Fire Company” was established in the Old Town area, and was the first company organized after the incorporation of the city. In 1810 the name was changed from “Federal” to “Independent”.
..In 1819 they had an engine house built at Gay and Ensor St. In 1853, the house was demolished, and a new one erected on the same site. This house later served as Engine House No.6 with the paid department, and today serves as the headquarters, and museum of the Box 414 Association.
..Also in 1799, the "Reliance Fire Company" was organized, location unknown. Company most likely disbanded early on.
..In 1801, the “Republican Fire Company" was organized, location unknown. Company most likely disbanded early on.
..In 1804, the “Vigilant Fire Company" was organized with quarters on Granby St. near Duke St. In 1848, they removed to a new engine house on Lombard St., near High St., that would later serve the paid department as Engine House No.3.
..In 1805, the “New Market Fire Company” was organized, with quarters located on Eutaw St., between Saratoga and Mulberry St. In 1816, they removed to a new engine house on Eutaw near Lexington St. The steeple, with bell and clock from this house were bought by the city in 1859 and placed on the new Engine House No.7 of the paid department.
..Also in 1805, the “Columbian Fire Company" was organized, location of original quarters not known. In 1828 located to a large building at Broadway and Fleet St., also shared by the "Deptford" and "Franklin" fire companies. In 1849 they removed to a new engine house on Ann near Gough St. This house was acquired by the city and became Engine House No.5 in the paid department.(house still standing)
..In 1807, the “Franklin Fire Company" was organized, with quarters on Light St., near Ruxton Lane. It appears that this company was disbanded and dropped from the list of companies in 1817.
..All companies that had been organized in Baltimore to this point were titled “fire” companies. As pictured below, their mode of operation was to place an engine in front of the burning building, and supply it with water by means of leather buckets. The water was forced through a short pipe with nozzle extending from the top of the engine, known as a “goose neck”, which was flexible enough to be turned in any direction by a fireman, who would steer it from a position atop the apparatus. Also note furniture, and other valuables being removed from the structure by members of the fire company known as "property men".
"Fire Service of Baltimore",.published
in 1889,..and..is.said..to..depict..fire-
fighting during the late 1700's.-------
..As the name suggests, this company marked a new method of attacking fires in Baltimore, that being the introduction of fire hose in considerable quantity. This hose was constructed of stitched leather, to be carried on a reel, affixed to a carriage. The city established two inches diameter as the standard size hose.
..Also, in 1810, two more companies were established, The “United Hose and Suction Company”, with quarters at Howard and Liberty St., and The "Fell’s Point Hose and Suction Company”, later, in 1823, renamed the “Franklin Hose Company”, location of original quarters not known. In 1828 located to a large building at Broadway and Fleet St., also shared by the "Deptford" and "Columbian" fire companies, and later to Eastern Ave. between Broadway and Bond St.
..In 1815, the “Washington Hose Company” was organized with quarters on Lombard St. between Liberty St. and Sharp St., later removed to Conway St. between Howard St. and Sharp St. and in 1853, thirdly located on Barre St. near Sharp St. This last location would later serve as Engine House No.2 of the paid department.
..In 1822, the “Patapsco Fire Company” was organized with quarters at North St. and Fayette St., later removed to Saint Paul St. near Centre St.
..This was the first company in Baltimore to introduce copper riveted leather hose that was much more durable than the stitched type. Shortly after this, all the companies would be equipped with a hose reel carriage.
..In 1830, the “Howard Fire Company” was organized with quarters located on Paca St. north of Fayette St. This house, with an addition, would later serve as Engine No.1 and Hook & Ladder No.2 House with the paid department.
..About this time, the wild spirit of rivalry was beginning to run its course in the volunteer fire companies of Baltimore, and the city desired a more compact system, and uniform supervision over the fire companies for the purpose of curbing the “irregularities”, as they were termed by the Mayor. To achieve this goal, in 1834, the volunteer companies organized themselves into a single, loose knit organization known as the “Baltimore United Fire Department” (B.U.F.D.)
