Archive Adventure: Biglerville Hose & Truck Co. No. 1
This post is another Archive Adventure – The Archive Committee is still uncovering things that have been tucked away for more than a decade.
This picture of the Biglerville Hose and Truck Company No. 1 in their brand-new uniforms was taken in August 1914 just prior to them marching in the Arendtsville parade.
The fire company was established in November 1913 during a meeting at the house of W. E. Kapp with 11 people in attendance. Dues were set at 15 cents per month. At the second meeting, there 41 people attended and it was decided that future meetings would be held on the 3rd floor of the Thomas Brothers building. Their first piece of equipment was a used firehose cart purchased from the Friendship Fire Company in Chambersburg.
By the end of 1914, a piece of ground on East York Street was leased and construction began on the firehall, a fire bell was purchased, and their first fundraising festival netted a profit of $336.19.
The first fire truck was purchased in 1921 for $4,800. The Firemen’s Grove (now known as Legion Woods) was purchased in 1927. In 1933 the Adams County Volunteer Firemen’s Association festival and parade was held there. In 1948, a five horse-power siren replaced the old bell.
The addition of vehicles and equipment, and the enlargement of the firehall to include a social hall, kitchen and ambulance bay continued into the 1970’s. It was in the early 1980’s that a piece of land on Main Street was purchased and construction on a new building began.
If preserving pieces of history like this photo is important to you, please consider supporting The Biglerville Historical and Preservation Society during the Adams County Giving Spree either in person November 5th at the Gettysburg Wyndham or before that by contacting The Adams County Community Foundation: https://www.adamscountycf.org/…/giving-spree-registration/
