After returning from a call in 1935 this section of the firehouse had burned also causing a loss of one of the three trucks housed at the time. In 1926 a second building was built which is presently the western quarter of the firehouse. This bell now hangs from the monument in front of the current firehouse. The following year a bell was purchased to hang in the bell tower from the Weccacoe Fire Company of Camden, located at Fifth and Arch Streets, at a cost of $50.00. In 1895 the building had some upgrades consisting of a bell tower and hose dryer. This first firehouse was constructed in 1889 costing $1,226.00. The firehouse was not always located where it sits today but rather the first firehouse sat across the street at 19 E. This equipment consisted of a four-wheeled hose carriage and 600 feet of leather hose, the chief’s silver speaking trumpet, as well as the marble name stone that is now currently mounted in the memorial out front of the current firehouse if the new fire company would take the name of “Niagara.” Since they were now but a social organization they had no need for the firefighting equipment they had and in a desire for their name to live on as volunteer company, the Niagara Hose Company of Philadelphia, had passed this equipment onto the newly formed company. After the creation of the paid department the volunteer Niagara Hose Company, who at this point was just a social organization, had heard of another volunteer company being formed in Merchantville. They remained here voluntarily serving the people of Philadelphia until 1871 when the City had created the paid Philadelphia Fire Department. In March 1827 the Niagara Hose Company had been founded and housed at Third Street below Catherine Street. The Niagara Fire Company was housed on Zane (Filbert) Street above Seventh Street with the Phoenix Hose Company until 1822 when the company was dissolved. The Niagara Fire Company was incorporated on Jas “Niagara Fire Company of Merchantville, N.J.” The name had come from the Niagara Fire Company of Philadelphia which itself was instituted around 1817 after the close of the war with Great Britain. It would come as a coincidence that the first emergency this newly formed fire company would be called to would be at Senator Cattell’s own property. This meeting was called for after the destruction of Judge John Hanna’s barn on April 22, 1888. Cattell, himself and a group of concerned citizens had joined to lay the ground work for the formation of a fire company. On May 2, 1888, at a meeting led by former United States Senator Alexander G. Currently the department is comprised of 1 career person, 30 volunteer firefighters, 3 support personnel and 5 junior firefighters. Open Burning, Recreational Fire and Portable Outdoor Fire PlacesĬontact – Kevin Patti at: Merchantville Fire Department – Niagara Fire Company has served the Borough of the Merchantville and it’s residents faithfully and with pride for the last 125 years. Haddon Heights Junior/Seniors High School.Merchantville Town Wide Yard Sale, Sept.Merchantville Monster Craft and Fine Art Festival.Agendas, Minutes, Resolutions, Ordinances.
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