The Citizens Fire Company No. 1

   The Venerable Citizens Fire Co. No. 1 of Tamaqua. For 158 years, a group of dedicated citizens proudly serving their community. While American Hose Co. can lay claim to being the town's oldest by name it is the Citizens Fire Co. No. 1 that has the longest history. The organization can trace its roots farther back in time than any other in town. Not only that, the fire company has been steadfastly based at the same general location for a century and a half, with its headquarters at the start of West Rowe Street in the heart of downtown. There are many aspects about "Citizens" that are outstanding. The company's beginning goes back to 1852, when the town fathers saw the need for organized fire fighting. With a single hose carriage stored in a barn, the Perseverance Fire Co. No 1- now Citizens- was formed. By 1861, the borough purchased land from company President Benjamin T. Hughes for construction of a wood frame firehouse. Prior to this, it is believed the firemen housed equipment in Hughes' nearby barn. Early records describe the firehouse location as a plot of "ground on the north side of Rowe just west of Berwick Street, having a fifty-foot front." Helping the firemen expand, the borough bought an adjacent parcel just west of the site on November 7, 1873. That purchase increased the firehouse property by and additional 58 feet, three inches. The fire company arrived on the scene so early that its history is pure Americana. For example, by 1875, the company acquired a steam fire engine drawn by hired horses and two hand-drawn hose carts, one with four wheels, the other with two. At the time, the unit also boasted 1,500 feet of gum hose valued at $6,500, according to records. The fancy new equipment led to a revised name, the Perseverance Hose and Steam Fire Co. The name would be changed again in 14 years.

  In 1879 the company's first red brick building was constructed. The structure featured magnificent entrance arches that fronted on Rowe St. Unfortunately, the building lasted only 35 years when borough leaders replaced it, thinking it too small for the new motorized equipment. It said that Perseverance firefighters were men of distinction, prominent people of the day. They were known for a sense of refinement. Many belonged to an intellectual group called the Tamaqua Lyceum, a band of men who met to discuss and debate current events. Little is written about the Tamaqua Lyceum, but we know that when the group disbanded, they donated their Matthew Newkirk Library, 1,500 books, to the men of Perseverance. The literature undoubtedly became part of the Citizens Fire Company No. 1 when the company formed in July 1889, the result of a Perseverance reorganization. Records say the company was comprised of 70 men who enjoyed one of the best-furnished parlors in the county.

   In 1903, Citizens purchased a team of horses used in a side venture- coal hauling and kept in service 11 years. Nine years later, the company expanded again, adding a horse drawn chemical and hose cart and another team of horses. To meet fire protection demands of a growing community, the borough- which shared the firehouse quarters until 1968- approved construction of the present yellow brick building in 1914. The structure was designed so that borough council's offices, police department and town jail would occupy the west section. The firefighters would operate out of the eastern portion with upstairs rooms available for meeting and socializing. Variations of that arrangement existed until the police department left the building in 1972.

  In 1914, Citizens acquired a Boyd fire truck, their first motorized unit. Eight years later, in 1922, they added a 750-gallon Seagrave pumper at a cost of $23,000. It could carry 12 men and pump 1,000 Gallons a minute. (Now privately owned, it's on display in Ocala, FL). 

  A ladder truck that carried 18 men was acquired in 1937. The company continued to upgrade its equipment in 1959, 1978 and beyond and was generally regarded as the leader in acquiring the finest equipment of the day. That Reputation continues. It seems that whether it's large diameter hoses, 1250 and 1500-gallon pumpers, self-contained breathing apparatus or medical equipment, Citizens Fire Co. leads the way. By virtue of its sophisticated apparatus, thorough training, eagerness and skilled men, Citizens also earned a reputation as a leader in helping of municipalities. In fact, the local group might have been pioneer in defining the very concept of mutual aid- and they have the paperwork to prove it! The firehouse proudly displays a Feb. 21, 1884 resolution from the Borough of Shenandoah and Columbia Hose & Steam Fire Co. for outstanding service in helping to extinguish that town's legendary inferno of Nov. 12, 1883. The proclamation refers to the devastation blaze as "the fire fiend that almost destroyed the business portion of our town." It is said the local fire company sent their hose cart and manpower to Shenandoah via train. Through this gesture, Tamaquans offered a lending hand in one of the coal region's worst fires and helped to spawn the mutual aid concept.

   Throughout history, membership in Citizens Fire Co. No. 1 has been a family honored tradition, a respected distinction, and association of honor. It started with the first 1852 hand pulled hose cart and a heartfelt dedication to protect the community- and it continues today. Perhaps the touch of refinement- the Newkirk Library only added to Citizens mystique. Certainly, many different elements continue to contribute to the identity. Being a member of Citizens means enjoying a reputation of honor, a sense of dignity and self worth. It's being part of a time honored legacy. Men and women of Citizens carry on a proud tradition of selfless courage. That's why even today, you'll notice that members hold their heads high when they say "I belong to Citizens." It's an honor they've earned for over 158 years. And the grateful people of Tamaqua know it. 

By Donald Serfass

Times News

March 27, 1999