Footnotes to Long Island History
Firehouse 50 Years Old
by
Thomas R. Bayles
By Thomas R. Bayles
August 27, 1904, was a red letter day for the Patchogue Fire
department, and the members turned out in full force to assist in the
ceremonies of laying the cornerstone of the new $15,000 fire house
headquarters, still in use on Lake street. The village was giver a
semi-holiday in honor of the occasion.
The members of the four companies assembled at their
respective headquarters at 1 p.m. And shortly after-wards formed in line
for the parade, the line of march being down South Ocean avenue to Baker
street, then to Rider avenue and East Main Street, to North Ocean avenue
and then to the site of the new building.
The formation of the line was as follows:
Chief C. C. Jones; Assistant Chiefs C. J. Odell and F. M.
Ruland; members of the Patchogue Fire council; Patchogue Village
trustees; Wreith's brass band of Lindenhurst; Patchogue Exempt Firemen's
association, led by president H. Clay Losee; Patchogue Engine-hose
company, George Nicoll, foreman; Union Hook & Ladder company, Arthur P.
Green, foreman; Van Guard Hose company, William Maginnes, foreman;
Euclid Hose company, Edgar M. Mapes, foreman; Patchogue Juvenile Hook &
Ladder company with Otto Van Tuyl, foreman.
After the parade the firemen lined up in front of the new
headquarters and the Rev. J. W. Maynard made the invocation, after which
Chief Jones made some remarks. Acting Village President Edwin
Johanknecht then made a short address and was followed by lawyer Robert
S. Pelletreau, who made the official address of welcome.
The honor of placing the cornerstone in position was given
to Edwin Bailey, one of the original organizers of the local Fire
department, and for 15 years its chief. Mr. Bailey spoke feelingly of
the honor conferred upon him and reviewed the history of the department.
Addresses were then made by Supreme Court Justice Wilmot M.
Smith, who was one of the organizers of the Union Hook & Ladder company,
18 years before; State Senator Edwin Bailey, Jr., one of the original
members of the engine company; County Judge Walter H. Jaycox;
Assemblyman W. A. Reeve and W. K. Post, president of the Suffolk County
Volunteer Fireman's association. All the speeches congratulated the
local firemen on the start of construction of the finest department
house in Suffolk County.
From the cornerstone laying, the firemen, preceded by the
band, marched to the ball ground, where they were the guests of the
Patchogue Baseball association, and witnessed a lively game between the
local team and one from Sayville. At night a supper at Bailey's hall
with an informal program of music and speeches concluded the day.
Construction of the new building progressed rapidly and was
completed in time for the companies to hold their December meetings
there. The Patchogue department was one of the best managed on the
Island and there were at that time about 150 members in the four
companies.
A number of interesting relics were placed in the
cornerstone, among which was a copy of the Brooklyn Eagle for July 8,
which had a picture of the new house.