Engine 19 was organized March 15, 1871 at 18 East Armat Street in the present-day heart of Germantown. Engine 19’s station was formerly occupied by the Fellowship Fire Company No. 27. The station was rented from Ambrose Reiber. Rent for 1871 was $602.08.
The original company roster was as follows:
James C. Whalley- Foreman
George W. Taylor- Engineer
Jacob W. Kephart- Driver
John S. Knight- Fireman
Richard M. Johnson- Hoseman
Frank Cooley- Hoseman
George Bussinger- Hoseman
William F. Clemens- Hoseman
Samuel H. Deal- Hoseman
James C. Tully- Hoseman
John F. Williamson- Hoseman
Mrs. Lackman was the janitress
They were in service with a third-class steamer built by J.L. Chapman of Philadelphia, and a four-wheel hose carriage.
In 1888 Engine 19 moved to a new firehouse at 29-31 E. Chelten Avenue. After twenty-five years at that location they company was moved to a new station across the street at 20 E. Chelten Avenue. On November 9, 1957 Engine 19 moved to their current firehouse at 302-10 E. Chelten Avenue with Ladder 8, Battalion 9, and Rescue 10.
Note the helmet sculpture at the top of the building in the second photo below. That sculpture is currently on display at Fireman’s Hall Museum. Also shown in this photo is Auxiliary Rescue 4’s 1951 Chevrolet and Engine 19’s 1941 Ward LaFrance.
Currently, the station houses the engine, Ladder Tower 8, Medic 28, and Deputy 3. For many years, Battalion 9 was housed in this station, but on January 23, 2019 it was moved to Engine 12 in Manayunk.
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Just a question, actually. I know you used to have the ENTIRE history of each company available on your website, but that information is abbreviated nowadays. Could you possibly give me the inclusive DATES of when Engine 19 was a participating member of HazMat # 2? I need this information as part of a claim of exposure to AFFF foam, as suggested by the RFFA. I would appreciate any information you can provide in this matter.
My father William Gillies was a lieutenant at Engine 19 in the 1970s as well as at Engine 37 in Chestnut Hill. I remember visiting him at the firehouse walking down Chelten Avenue off the trolley. The Idle Hour bar was directly across the street on the corner and catered to some serious drinkers. Being around there and Germantown in the early 70s was a good education for a young man. Life was tough but the lessons remain.
John,
What a wonderful man your dad was. I worked with him at 19’s as a firefighter and later he was my Lieutenant. We partied together. We’d go to Cardinal Dougherty or Lasalle’s auditorium on a Saturday night and have a blast! And your dad was a great dancer, Jitterbug. My wife can attest to that. Great memories!
Any pictures of the Apparatus @ the station in 1958.
Albert. in 1958, Engine 19 had a 1955 Mack 750gpm pump with hi-pressure fog. Ladder 8 had a 1954 Maxim-Magirus 100 ft. rear-mount aerial. Photos of both these apparatus can be seen on this blog. The 1955 Mack can be seen as a photo underneath the text in the post for Engine 40. The 1954 Maxim-Magirus can bee seen as the cover photo in the post for Ladder 4.