West Windsor Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1
First fire engine, a 1921 Model T. Ford. In engine: William Hann, Harvey Applegate. Front: Irving Everett, Frank Adams, Orville Walton. Back (L to R): Fred Cook, Gordon Tindall, Wyndom Smallbone, Wilbert Conover, Hiram, William, & John Mount.
Overview
Also referred to as Station 43, this was West Windsor's first volunteer fire company. Originally named the Dutch Neck Volunteer Fire Department, it served all of West Windsor until the Princeton Junction Fire Department was organized in 1926. Its first chief, from 1921-1922, was Harvey D. Applegate.
In June 1921, a Model T Ford was purchased for $1400 and converted into the company's first fire truck.
The very first call for the company was a fire at the home of Irving Everett, on what is now Everett Drive in Princeton Junction (next to the current municipal complex). While the farmhouse was destroyed, surrounding buildings were saved. This marked the first call in a long history for the department.
In spring 1924, the first rooftop siren was installed on Town Hall in Dutch Neck. Before this, siren alarms were given by banging on a railroad car wheel, the number of taps indicating the location of the fire.
Also referred to as Station 43, this was West Windsor's first volunteer fire company. Originally named the Dutch Neck Volunteer Fire Department, it served all of West Windsor until the Princeton Junction Fire Department was organized in 1926. Its first chief, from 1921-1922, was Harvey D. Applegate.
In June 1921, a Model T Ford was purchased for $1400 and converted into the company's first fire truck.
The very first call for the company was a fire at the home of Irving Everett, on what is now Everett Drive in Princeton Junction (next to the current municipal complex). While the farmhouse was destroyed, surrounding buildings were saved. This marked the first call in a long history for the department.
In spring 1924, the first rooftop siren was installed on Town Hall in Dutch Neck. Before this, siren alarms were given by banging on a railroad car wheel, the number of taps indicating the location of the fire.
In the middle of the 20th century, the fire company sponsored plays, generally held in Dutch Neck Elementary School. They were the talk of the town, featuring a variety of themes, sponsored by a multiplicity of local businesses, and demonstrating the multifaceted role that firefighters played in their community. Eight previews of different plays' playbills are shown below, each linked to their respective pamphlets:
In 1952, the West Windsor Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 was moved into its current low brick building, purchased from Charles Holman and located at 153 South Mill Road. The majority of the construction labor on the firehouse was by the firemen, many of whom were construction workers. In 1962, the mortgage on the building was paid and the company enjoyed a Mortgage Burning Party.
Improvements and additions have been made over the years, with funds raised in part by the now-defunct Ladies Auxillary.
In 1969, a meeting room/office was added to the rear. In 1974, space for three more fire engines, a radio room, chief's office, engineer's room, and much-needed storage space was constructed.
Improvements and additions have been made over the years, with funds raised in part by the now-defunct Ladies Auxillary.
In 1969, a meeting room/office was added to the rear. In 1974, space for three more fire engines, a radio room, chief's office, engineer's room, and much-needed storage space was constructed.
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.
Princeton Rec Center's 1967 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.
West Windsor Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 continues to be an instrumental organization for the community. Station 43 routinely hosts community events - from "Breakfast with Santa" (An annual tradition that delights children looking to meet the Big Guy himself) to annual Chili cookoffs, to toy drives during the winter months, to blood drives to training and education for youth and adults alike. An of course, saving buildings, cars, and lives throughout West Windsor from fires, floods, and other emergencies, the fire company, like its Princeton Junction counterpart, proves time and again its importance in this community.
Play the slideshow below to explore more imagery concerning the West Windsor Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1!
