History
On September 1, 1910, a group of community-minded individuals met in the Odd Fellows’ Hall (now called the Lodge located on Bethlehem Pike) for the express purpose of organizing a volunteer fire company. This group recognized an existing need in Flourtown, for in, 1909, a fire on West Mill Road destroyed Harry L. Nash’s barn, together with a barn on an adjacent property. A general alarm was sounded, with Ambler, Chestnut Hill, Jenkintown and other companies responding, Jenkintown making the run in eleven minutes.
Walter Stowman was a leader in the movement and was elected temporary President, with William C. Thompson, Secretary, and Albert Jones, Treasurer. A committee was appointed to obtain prices on various fire fighting equipment. Edward Cressman also offered the use of a building on his property in Flourtown to the newly formed company. Stevenson Crothers, President of The Board of Commissioners of Springfield Township, offered the use of the township building for meetings. Meetings were arranged to be held alternately in the township building and Odd Fellows’ Hall.
The next meeting was held on September 15, 1910, at the township building, when a permanent organization was effected. The officers of the temporary organization were elected. Mr. Robert J. McCloskey was elected the first Fire Chief. John Faber Miller, Esquire, obtained the Charter and Certificates of Incorporation of the Flourtown Fire Company which were filed on October 12, 1910. Included among the Charter Members were Walter J. Stowman, Fred L. Harner, Albert L. Jones, William C. Thompson, Robert J. McCloskey, Russell Y. Pullinger, William T. Griffith, John T. Sheehan, S. Roulen Stowman, and Levi H. Lesseig.
At the November 3, 1910 meeting, Chief McCloskey reported that he had purchased two hand-drawn carts, one for $235.00, and the other for $90.00, together with 500 feet (150 m) of hose at $0.80 a foot. The ladies of the community held a fair at the Old White City Park, Chestnut Hill, (now Erdenheim) and realized $900.00, which was given to the men for purchase of hose carts and hose. One cart was to be kept at the Cressman property, Flourtown, and the other at the Wheel Pump (now Erdenheim) because the company was unable to secure a permanent location. Because of the difference on construction of the two reel carts, they were alternated every three months between the two stations.
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