Engine 18 was organized March 15, 1871 at 1903 Callowhill Street in the firehouse formerly occupied by the Spring Garden Fire Company No. 41.
The original company roster was as follows:
Foreman Benjamin F. Woodhouse
Engineer Thomas J. Hickey
Driver Edward Gilligan
Fireman Frank Wilson
Hoseman William McCready
Hoseman James Clayton
Hoseman Robert Montgomery
Hoseman Anton Laefler
Hoseman Dennis McCready
Hoseman Robert Steen
Hoseman William Gilligan
Hoseman John Frame
William McCready and Dennis McCready were brothers. It is not known if there was any familiar relationship between Edward Gilligan and William Gilligan.
Mrs. Woodhouse was the matron. (I’m not even going to speculate on this.)
The firehouse was leased from the former volunteers for $718.33
Engine 18 went into service with an 1863 Amoskeag 1st size steamer steamer that was purchased from the Spring Garden volunteers for $2500.00. They would use this engine until 1873 when they swapped pieces with Engine 21. They then responded with an 1864 S.W. Landell 2nd size steamer.
Hugo Hutt was appointed to Engine 18 on November 23, 1899. Hoseman Hutt was a former Sergeant in the U.S. Infantry serving at Fort Niobrara, Nebraska. He also served with the Sixth Pennsylvania Regiment during the Spanish-American War. He was known as the strongest main in the Bureau of Fire. At one point in his career, Hoseman Hutt was very ill, his family didn’t think he would survive. Doctors could find no cure. Someone suggested he try Dr. Kilmer’s Swamp Root – Nature’s Greatest Aid to the Suffering, and he made a miraculous recovery. Hutt was featured in advertisements for the product. Swamp Root must have worked because he retired from the Bureau on July 1, 1937 as a Battalion Chief.
Engine 18 had the distinction of being the last engine company utilizing horse-drawn apparatus. The company was motorized on March 21, 1924.
On June 30, 1937 Engine 18 was disbanded to organize Engine 71. They were reorganized on July 28, 1952 at Wake and Atoll Roads in the Northeast Village.
On October 6, 1954, Engine 18 moved into a new station on Ashton Road north of Grant Avenue at the Northeast Airport. On February 13, 1973, Engine 76, an airport crash truck, was added to the station, lasting until May 18, 1989 when it was disbanded. Engine 18 moved into a new station at 8205 Roosevelt Boulevard on Pennypack Circle on December 16, 1983, and now goes by the designation of Foam 18.
Have an interesting story about Engine 18 that you would like to share? We would love to hear from you. Use the comment form below.
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Was this the Engine company at Northeast Airport in the 60’s and 70’s (at least)? It must have moved when the Village was demolished.
My dad would take us up Ashton Road to pick up his paycheck. We LOVED picking up paychecks, the smell of the station, the men cooking, climbing on the apparatus…but the station at the NE airport had a wonderful summer house, knotty pine and rustic.
Such great memories! Also remember the airport tower fire.I guess having the engine company on-premises didn’t help!
Later, my dad was captain at Eng 20, Lad 31, conveniently while was attending Archbishop Ryan. I did feel quite safe at school!
I love reading your pieces –daughter of a fire chief, history major, on board of the Friends of NE Philly History group.
See comment below this. Also, I think you meant Engine 22, Ladder 31 at Academy & Comly Rds.. Engine 20 is in Chinatown.
Engine 18 moved from Northeast Village to a new station at the Northeast Airport on October 6, 1954. It remained there until December 16, 1983 when it moved to a new station at 8205 Roosevelt Blvd. on the Pennypack Circle.
I’m trying to find information on fire chief john Dungan. He died in 1924 and lived on West Thompson st. His obituary invited fellow P. F. D., Boat No. 1, and Insurance Patrol, No. 1. Any information would help. Thanks.
Lou, we do research on former members of the PFD, but there is a fee. Use the link, “visit our store” above to submit a request. Be aware that Boat No. 1 was part of the PFD, but Insurance Patrol No. 1 was not. The Insurance Patrol was a private organization run by the insurance companies. They did have chiefs, although I think they were called superintendents. So possibly he was one of them.
Lou, if you find any information on him I would be interested as he was my great grandfather. Thanks in advance, John D. Dungan, Jr.
John.
John Dungan III 1867-1924 is my great grandfather as well. I’m also interested in any information on his fireman duties. Let me know what you find out.
Brian Wilkenson
Brian, If I ever stumble on anything new I will.