Princeton Junction Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1
First fire engine, purchased in 1926 and discontinued in 1948
Overview
Soon after the incorporation of West Windsor's first fire company in 1921, located in Dutch Neck, it was evident that the township would need a more expansive effort to cover its rapidly-growing population. On June 3, 1926, the Berrien City Fire Company was formed to supplement the West Windsor Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1.
The company's first equipment reflected the resources of the locales in which they fought fires. Lacking fire hydrants, they owned a pumped and a brush truck to handle field fires. In 1927, the first fire truck - a 1928 Foamite Chemical truck - was purchased for $3900. Until 1931, the truck was housed in a variety of locations, including a private garage on Berrien Avenue and a brick building on Station Drive.
In 1930, the company reorganized as the Princeton Junction Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1. Construction of a dedicated firehouse along Alexander Road between Berrien and Scott Avenues soon followed in 1931. Over the decades, the roof was raised and the building lengthened to accommodate ever-larger equipment.
Soon after the incorporation of West Windsor's first fire company in 1921, located in Dutch Neck, it was evident that the township would need a more expansive effort to cover its rapidly-growing population. On June 3, 1926, the Berrien City Fire Company was formed to supplement the West Windsor Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1.
The company's first equipment reflected the resources of the locales in which they fought fires. Lacking fire hydrants, they owned a pumped and a brush truck to handle field fires. In 1927, the first fire truck - a 1928 Foamite Chemical truck - was purchased for $3900. Until 1931, the truck was housed in a variety of locations, including a private garage on Berrien Avenue and a brick building on Station Drive.
In 1930, the company reorganized as the Princeton Junction Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1. Construction of a dedicated firehouse along Alexander Road between Berrien and Scott Avenues soon followed in 1931. Over the decades, the roof was raised and the building lengthened to accommodate ever-larger equipment.
The old fire house, now owned by the West Windsor Arts Council
When space was needed for expansion of the fire house, a separate house - originally located at the intersection of Scott Avenue and Alexander Road - was moved to North Post Road, where it stands two houses east of the bridge over the Northeast Corridor railroad.
During the Great Depression, Bingo games were a popular fundraiser for the company. This practice continued until the 1980s.
During World War II, both the firehouse in Dutch Neck and the one in Berrien City served as Civil Defense stations, equipped for war-time emergencies. 4 decades later, between 1980 and 1989, it also served as a Senior Citizens Center.
In 1969, a 500 gpm pumper truck (built in 1945) was given to East Windsor Township to assist with the formation of its fire company. It returned to the station in 1975, where it was retired after 3 decades of usage.
In the 1970s, the company brought in the Hoxie Brothers circus, which was held on the Coward farm (now High School South). In the same decade, women began to increasingly volunteer for the company, driving fire engines and assisting at fires. This contingent included Ann "Nancy" Blaney, Shirley LaBeur, Sandy Radclidd, and Anneta Zinetti.
In 2002, the fire company moved most of its operations to a new facility at 245 Clarksville Road, retaining the old building in Berrien City for truck and equipment storage. In 2010, the West Windsor Arts Council took out a lease on the building and now hosts events and exhibitions in the former firehouse, occupying the eastern half of the building. A few exhibitions are focused around the township's history, exploring events such as Orson Welles' 1938 "War of the Worlds" broadcast.
During the Great Depression, Bingo games were a popular fundraiser for the company. This practice continued until the 1980s.
During World War II, both the firehouse in Dutch Neck and the one in Berrien City served as Civil Defense stations, equipped for war-time emergencies. 4 decades later, between 1980 and 1989, it also served as a Senior Citizens Center.
In 1969, a 500 gpm pumper truck (built in 1945) was given to East Windsor Township to assist with the formation of its fire company. It returned to the station in 1975, where it was retired after 3 decades of usage.
In the 1970s, the company brought in the Hoxie Brothers circus, which was held on the Coward farm (now High School South). In the same decade, women began to increasingly volunteer for the company, driving fire engines and assisting at fires. This contingent included Ann "Nancy" Blaney, Shirley LaBeur, Sandy Radclidd, and Anneta Zinetti.
In 2002, the fire company moved most of its operations to a new facility at 245 Clarksville Road, retaining the old building in Berrien City for truck and equipment storage. In 2010, the West Windsor Arts Council took out a lease on the building and now hosts events and exhibitions in the former firehouse, occupying the eastern half of the building. A few exhibitions are focused around the township's history, exploring events such as Orson Welles' 1938 "War of the Worlds" broadcast.
Since their foundings, the West Windsor and Princeton Junction fire companies have cooperated on a plethora of major emergencies. Although each monitors its own "half" of West Windsor, when a general alarm goes out, both rush to the scene.
Multi-storied buildings did not start to become common in West Windsor until the 1980s, with the construction of the Hyatt Hotel at Carnegie Center. These tall buildings required the purchase of large fire trucks with tall latters and hoses that could reach the top of these structures. Thus, in 1994, West Windsor Township purchased Telesquirt trucks for both fire companies.
Multi-storied buildings did not start to become common in West Windsor until the 1980s, with the construction of the Hyatt Hotel at Carnegie Center. These tall buildings required the purchase of large fire trucks with tall latters and hoses that could reach the top of these structures. Thus, in 1994, West Windsor Township purchased Telesquirt trucks for both fire companies.
The 1967 Princeton Rec Center fire
Three emergencies of note were mitigated by the fire companies in the middle of the century:
- 1967: Princeton "Rec" Center - one of the most spectacular fires in the township occurred this year when the Prince Theater and its entertainment complex went up in flames. The complex was located at 3505 Brunswick Pike (also where the Nassau Airpark used to exist). It included a movie theater, bowling alley, skating rink, cocktail lounge, and Chinese restaurant. Only the movie theater and restaurant escaped the conflagration.
- 1975: "Water Life Line" - On Labor day of this year, the Trenton Filtration Plant blew its valve, leaving the city of Trenton without water. Among many fire squads to come to the rescue were both of West Windsor's. This assemblage formed what is now known as the "Water Life Line." Hoses were run from the Elizabethtown Water Company at Princeton Pike on the West Windsor-Lawrence Border to the plant about 9 miles away to provide water to prime the filtration plant pump and bring dry water to the city. Furthermore, tanker trucks of water were parked at the Trenton and Ewing first aid stations to provide water if a fire were to break out. Both West Windsor and Princeton Junction's Ladies Auxiliaries were there to provide food and support the firefighters.
- 1986: D&R Canal Gas Pipeline Explosion and Fire - on the afternoon of January 31, while Canal Point was being constructed, a bulldozer reputedly ruptured a gasoline pipeline which ran along the canal. Emergency services from West Windsor, Princeton, Plainsboro, Lawrence, and Hamilton responded rapidly. The oil company shut down a section of the pipeline from Quakerbridge Road to Alexander Road. Unfortunately, the gases from the ruptured pipes built up, causing an explosion at 8 PM that rocked the area. This was supposedly due to an automatic turn-on of an electric heater in the Elizabethtown water pump station. Fortunately, no injuries were reported and the fire was quickly contained.
Today, the Princeton Junction Fire Department plays an instrumental role in our community. Of course, they fight fires and save people. However, like the West Windsor Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1, they also participate in a number of community events - from driving Santa around town during Christmastime to visit elated children, to hosting pancake breakfasts and community blood drives, to providing first aid and other safety lessons for the township's populace.
Play the slideshow below to see more imagery concerning the Princeton Junction Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1!