In the beginning, each member was required to furnish two leathern fire buckets and the Company supplied six ladders and fire hooks. Various fines for not keeping the equipment in proper shape or not attending meetings were instituted.
In 1811 there was a reorganization, and the name changed to the "Fire Company of Haddonfield". Additional members joined and subscriptions were secured in order to obtain necessary equipment. On March 5, 1818, a hand pump engine was purchased from Perkins and Jones of Philadelphia at a cost of $300.00. On March 1, 1873, a suction pump was purchased from Harlan and Hollingsworth, Wilmington, Delaware for $169.72. Cisterns were dug in strategic locations for water supply.
Meanwhile, a reorganization was necessary and on February 21, 1857, there came into being The Haddonfield Fire Department. This organization continued until January 13, 1887, when Haddon Fire Company No.1 was organized.
The first apparatus was hand drawn, then came the horse drawn vehicle, and finally the motor vehicle. All fire fighting equipment has come a long way since the original organization of the Haddon Fire Company No.1. The apparatus is housed, and the company holds its meetings on the original site of the organization of the company. Haddon Fire Co. No.1 remains to be the second oldest volunteer fire company in continuous services in the United States.
Haddon Fire Co. No.1 operates one completely equipped Rescue/Pumper, 2 Fire Pumpers, and one 100-foot aerial ladder truck. In addition, Haddon Fire Co. No1 has an incident command vehicle, and a utility vehicle. Their latest vehicle was unveiled in October 2007 during Fire Safety Prevention Week.
Some days, while sitting at the Starbucks across the street, I have heard the fire siren go off during an emergency it is LOUD!
There are approximately 1,200 EMS emergency calls each year in addition to the approximate 500 fire calls each year.
There is an awesome little museum inside the firehouse which hold two antique fire fighting vehicles. There is also a very comfortable and homey recreation area in the rear, up a few steps.
Haddon Fire Company is the nation's second oldest volunteer fire company in continuous existence
For a much more detailed and informed physical description of this site, I have added information from the original nomination form sent to me by John P. Byrne, National Register Database Manager (John_Byrne@nps.gov), Department of the Interior. This narrative was created March 16, 1979, mailed in to Washington, D.C. and evaluated April 18, 1980 and finally approved on July 21, 1982. Thanks to this designation and the efforts of the community to stop developers in the early 70s, Haddonfield is permanently protected and is one of the best example of an intact Colonial America.
Fire Station built in 1952, the most beautiful public building in Haddonfield. Replaces much earlier frame building for the Haddon Fire Company #1, second oldest in the country, founded in 1764. 2 story brick in Flemish bond, five beautifully proportioned windows. Double door entrance with pent eave over. Most significant feature is the Williamsburg type tall tower on one end of the "A" roof. Designed by Louis H. Goettelmann, local colonial architect. Colonial design in unity with architecture of the Historic District. --- National Register of Historic Places Inventory -- Haddonfield Historic District Nomination Form
If you have half a mind to explore this waymark and the hundreds of others in this historic area, go to this WEBSITE, you will see where all the free parking in town is located as well as all the other historical areas. There is parking available curb side along this street.
If you are interested in learning more about this well-preserved historic district, you are encouraged to visit their WEBSITE.
