A partial collection of people, places and events that have made
Chesapeake City the unique and desirable location that it has become today.
Ladies Auxiliary History -
1928-1978
Accidents,
Disasters, Fires & Storms
Photo by Lewis Collins, Jr.
Chesapeake City Volunteer Fire Company
Officers & Directors - c. 1955
Standing - Left to Right
Bill Cooling, John Lupfer, Paul Stapp, Reedy Benson,
John Caleb, Fletcher Nickerson and Gill Loveless
Seated - Left to Right
Howard Loller, Albert Stapp and Merritt Collins, Sr.
Articles retyped as written,
including most errors.
Cecil Whig - March 25, 1911 -
Steamer's Pumps And Hose Save Town
The lucky presence of the Ericsson liner "Penn" and prompt work of her crew last Friday night saved a section of Chesapeake City from destruction by fire, which broke out on a dwelling on Canal street, owned by Mrs. John Banks and occupied by Joseph Sheehan. The flames spread to adjoining houses owned by Mrs. Sarah F. Hines and Frank H. Buchanan. The fire started shortly before midnight, and the high winds caused the sparks to endanger the distant roofs, but the incipient blazes were checked. The Penn was at her wharf and was backed to near the scene of the fire. Captain McNamee had the steamer's hose run ashore, and the pumps played a stream upon the flames. The damage was contained to the three dwellings which were destroyed but they were practically doomed before the Penn got to work. Several members of Singerly Fire Company went to the scene of the fire, and others were ready to respond, but their services were not needed. Residents spurred by the town's danger, are moving for the formation of a fire department.
Cecil Whig - May 13, 1911 - Chesapeake City Gets Fire Engine
Chesapeake City's newly organized Fire Department has purchased a powerful steam engine of the suction pattern, in Baltimore, which was shipped here by rail and hauled to its destination on Thursday. With the Canal and Back Creek convenient, the firemen now need only sufficient hose to cope with any future fire within the town's limits
Cecil Whig -
November 11,
1911 - Firemen's Parade - 95 Years
Ago
So far the firemen's fair and supper has been a great success. If you have not
attended any preceding nights, do no miss the last one. A tempting repast is
prepared for you, and your wants attended to promptly by the ladies. The fancy
table presents a dainty appearance and many useful articles are to be had.
The Firemen's Parade, which took place on Thursday evening in Chesapeake City was one of the most brilliant of such displays seen in that town for many a day. Elkton Fire Company and Elkton Band turned out in full force. At 7:30 the parade started from the fire department. Marshal McKenney, of Elkton, and Marshal Wilsey, of Chesapeake City lead the parade in full uniform, and their spirited and handsome mounts beautifully decorated in American colors. Next came the Elkton Band, which rendered excellent music as it filed along the streets. In line, back of this came the Elkton firemen led by President Frazer and and Chief Giles, all in full regalia, each man carrying torches following their engine, decorated, and their hook and ladder truck. The second division of the parade was headed by Messrs. Hugh W. Caldwell and Leroy Bloomer in the full uniform of the Chesapeake Fire Company; their horses were also decorated. Immediately after this came our band rendering lively music. Next Chief Carpenter and Assistant Chief Reese and the officers and men of Chesapeake City in uniform and the fire apparatus of Chesapeake City handsomely decorated in flags. Then the pretty and effective feature following was six young girls in red and white carrying a beautiful American flag - Alice Hopper, Ella Norris (Savin), Anna Bristow, Elizabeth Aiken, May Price, Elizabeth Wells. Bringing up the rear was Chief of Police Hevlow. They followed out Canal Street then down to Biddle, on to Bank Street, then over the causeway, up Bohemia Avenue, to Fourth, and George to Second, on to Bohemia and thence back to the engine house, when the parade disbanded. Most of the homes on the route were illuminated from top to bottom, flags waving and red lights greeting the procession.
The visitors in the parade were then served to a tempting supper prepared in Masonic Hall. Chesapeake was surely alive and animated on that evening, and the town should be indeed proud of this display, which was greeted by cheers and applause from all who witnessed it. Before going to the hall for the banquet, appropriate remarks were made by Carroll Edgar and President Frank Frazer of Elkton and by (Chesapeake City Town Council) President George H. Reuss, of Chesapeake City. The Chesapeake City engine was drawn by four magnificent gray horses, the property of Harry W. Kibler. At their posts on the engine were Chief Engineer John M. Brown, with his assistant Andrew Ross and Z. T. Loveless. The beautiful banner painted by Edwin Gardner was carried by Ralph Watson. The horses along the line of parade were beautifully decorated. Special mention should be made of Wooley & Bennett's, Henry Norris, James Culler's, John Brown's, W. E. Penn's, and John M. Brown on the north side of town and W. A. Alexander, Henry G. Hager, Dr. T. J. Conrey's, Dr. E. H. Wilsey, and Byron Bouchelle's, Hopper's, Griffith's, Clayton's, Willis' and Reed's store on the South side.
The Fire Company became a
corporation of the State of Maryland on November 14, 1911 under the name of:
Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 of Chesapeake City, Inc.
Source: 1986 Chesapeake City Fire
Company 75th Anniversary Booklet
Cecil Whig - April 4, 1925 - Fire House Relocated
The Fire House is being removed from the Causeway (SCC) to its new location on Biddle Street (NCC), on the lot recently purchased from James Ryan. The building was transferred to Schaefer's wharf on a scow.
much more to follow......... Return to Site Contents