The first attempt to provide fire protection to the Chestnut Hill section of the city was made during 1872. Hand Engine A was organized with one member, Hoseman George W. Shannon. The company was assigned two pieces of apparatus. A hand-drawn, hand-operated pumping engine and a hose cart equipped with 750 feet of leather hose. If dispatched to an alarm, the company would be assisted by volunteers from the neighborhood. Hand Engine A was disbanded during 1881.
Chemical 1 was organized Highland Avenue and Main Street (Germantown Avenue) in Chestnut Hill in 1886. This brought a fire department presence back to the neighborhood that was lacking since Hand Engine A was placed out of service during 1881. The original company roster consisted of the following members:
Foreman John C. Parsons
Foreman John C. Parsons
Engineer Hiram Schlafer
Driver Jacob Kephart
Hoseman John Maney
Hoseman William Thomas
Hoseman William B. Crout
Hoseman William B. Crout
In 1891 Chemical 1 was placed out of service and Engine 37 was organized. Upon organization, the company moved into a new station located at Highland Avenue and Shawnee Street. Engine 37’s original company roster was as follows:
Foreman John C. Parsons
Engineer Ephraim Jones
Driver Jacob Kephart
Fireman Hiram Schlafer
Hoseman William Thomas
Hoseman John Money
Hoseman William Crout
Hoseman Theodore Nicolle
Hoseman Theodore Nicolle
Engine 37 still responds from this firehouse today. It is the oldest continually operated station in the city of Philadelphia. The major problem with the firehouse has been the narrow doors. They were built to house horse-drawn apparatus. Because today’s apparatus are much wider, the mirrors must be pulled in and all handrails must be removed. The building is currently undergoing renovation.
On June 16, 2019 city officials broke ground on a $9 million renovation and expansion of Engine 37. Learn more https://www.phila.gov/2019-06-26-historic-19th-century-philly-firehouse-to-get-21st-century-makeover/
As a PFD dispatcher in the early 1970s working the midnight to 8am shift, there were usually only 10-15 fire and rescue(medic) dispatches. TV stations went off the air around 2am. So, in order to keep my mind occupied, I would look thru the PFD Roster Book in the rear of the Alarm Room which listed by company the members with their names, addresses, and ages. I already knew many of the ethnic neighborhoods of the city, but from their names and addresses enabled me to realize some smaller pockets(i.e. from a number of Italian names, a small pocket in Port Richmond). Also, at that time more than now, older fireman were assigned to the less active stations on the fringes of the city. When I came to Engine 37, in the most patrician neighborhood in Philly, I was surprised to see that almost all the members assigned were older Black fireman. Anyone know the reason why?
How do I research a past fireman? My great uncle was Francis O’Reilly. Thank you..
Fran, go to the very top of this page above the Fireman’s Hall Museum title. You’ll see in very small print, “Gift Shop”. Click on that, and once you’re in the Gift Shop, click on Contact US, and fill out the form as to your request. If this seems too complicated, you might try calling the Museum’s phone, 215-923-1438 from 10am-4pm, Tues.-Sat., and they might be able to give you more info on how to go about your request.