Groton Fire Department

Groton, New York

Fire and EMS 

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The village people of Groton became incorporated in 1860.  At that time the gradual building up of the village, both in dwellings, blocks and manufacturing establishments, rendered necessary some provisions to guard against destruction. Records show that during the fall of 1864 the manufacturing establishment of Williams & Finney burned.  As the results of the destruction of the William & Finney Block in November of that year the village voted to purchase a Fire Engine.

 

Records also show a special election was held and the village appropriated $1,500.00 to purchase a Steam Fire Engine (unknown if it was new or used) from the Village of Seneca Falls.  The carriage makers Messer, Bowker & Crittenden were given an order for a hose cart not to exceed $150.00.  On November 14, 1864 arrangements were made to ship the steamer by railroad to Cayuga Village and then by boat to Norton’s Landing on Cayuga Lake.  Upon the arrival of the engine and hose cart all were housed at D. W. Hall’s barn on Williams Street for several years.

 

The first record of any organized fire company for the village of Groton, was in December 1864, Excelsior Fire Company was organized and Engine Co. No. 1, by the authority of the Board of Trustees and Harlow Scofield clerk.

 

The following were accepted and installed:

 


1.        D. W. Hall                                          

2.        D. H. Marsh

3.        H. K. Clark

4.        A. D. Adams

5.        L. H. Thomas

6.        Albert Morton

7.        Ezra Halsey

8.        Jerome Hataway

9.        Myron Allen

10.     Orlin Wright

11.     Newel Hatch

12.     H. B. Clark

13.     A. Pierson

14.     Sidney Hopkins

15.     Volney Hopkins

16.     M. A. Avery

17.     Delos Tanner

18.     Norton Brokaw

19.     B. F. Field

20.     G. D. Crittenden

21.     Henry Thomas

22.     D. V. Linderman

23.     H. Scofield

24.     J. Miller

25.     L. McGee

26.     E. Kimball

27.     Allen Hakes

28.     D. L. Grover

29.     W. H. Shaw

30.     Samuel Spencer

31.     Jame Shaw

32.     C. H. Dutcher

33.     A. H. Conklin

34.     D. C. Chadwick

35.     Robert Green

36.     George Allen

37.     S. C. Reynolds

38.     M. H. Foley

39.     H. D. Spencer

40.     C. W. Conger

41.     S. G. Conger

42.     Henry Craine

43.     R. W. Jacobs

44.     H. Bowker

45.     E. Patterson

 

On March 20, 1865 a Pioneer Hose Co. was established and the Following were accepted:

 


1.        Sherdan Hall

2.        Miles Palmer

3.        Charles Allen

4.        Adelbert Glover

5.        Leroy Rogers

6.        Ira Hyde

7.        George Patterson

8.        Barron Sykes

9.        Seamen Covert

10.     Allen Hicks

11.     M. D. Goodyear

12.     A. J. Sykes

13.     Clarence Bowker

14.     Benjermin Jacobs

15.     H. S. Hopkins

16.     E. M. Avery

17.     D. E. Dye

18.     Leonard Ashley

19.     Sylvanus Ashley

20.     R. B. Ashley

21.     Harry Palmer

 

The organization of the department continued and operated as above for a number of years.  It is also believed that the Engine Co. No 1 may have changed their name to Seneca Chief Engine Co. No. 2.  Their uniforms consisted of a Firemen helmet, red shirt, and black belt.  After the completion of the Groton Water Works in 1888 the Engine Co. disbanded and the engine was sold to Brookton, NY.  After disbanding a new Hose Co. was organized known as C. W. Conger Hose Co. No.2 while in 1890 Citizens Hook & Ladder Co. No. 3 established itself. 

 

By the late 1800’s the fire department was comprised of three companies known as the Groton Fire Department.  A full membership for a company allowed for 30 members each. This meant that there could be 90 members total for the Department.  The department was well uniformed and equipped with fist class modern fire apparatus and on many occasions demonstrated their abilities to successfully fight fires.  Each company from time to time would hold some kind of fundraiser.  They frequently hosted dances or an occasional fair. With the help of the generous patrons they were able to purchase uniforms and apparatus. 

 

The department officers were then referred to as Chief Engineer, 1st & 2nd Assistant Engineer, which included a Secretary and a Treasurer.  Each company had a Forman, 1st & 2nd Assistant Forman, up to (4) Pipeman, and up to (4) hydrantman.  From the administrative side there was a Secretary and a Treasurer.  Later a President and Vice President were added to relieve the Forman of their administration duties.  Each company also had a Drillmaster to instruct and drill them as they prepared for parade appearances as far away as Sayre Pennsylvania.  

 

Note:

Interesting point for discussion:  It was always believed Pioneer Hose Co. is the oldest company within the Groton Fire Department, but what ever happened to those original members who disbanded the Engine Co. to organize Conger Hose.   We will let the readers decide this one.  No matter the decision, those three original formed Companies named still proudly serve the Groton community today.       

 

The village appropriated in the early 1890’s, thirteen thousand dollar for land and the erecting of a Municipal Building on Cortland Street to house the department and village council.  On the first floor and left of the entrance would be rooms for Pioneer and Conger Hose Companies with a drying room in the rear.  To the right of the entrance was Citizens Hook & Ladder Company with Company parlors in the rear.  Behind the fire department was the Village Council rooms, connecting to them, through double doors was a large assembly room.  Off from these rooms was a janitor area, kitchen and storage rooms.   The Pioneer and Conger Hose Companies parlors were in the front on the second floor.  To the rear of the parlors was a large hall and galley including a stage with seating capacity for 850.  The building also included electricity, steam heat and other modern conveniences.      

   Picture of the old Municipal Building / Opera House before it was demolished in 1958 making way for the present building at 108 E. Cortland Street.