People, Places, and Trucks
Walter Rohrbach was elected Chief in 1918 and held that position until 1946. Also in August 1918, the Ladies Auxiliary was formed.
January 1919, saw the company purchase the Edwin Cressman property on Bethlehem Pike for $7,500.00, $2700.00 of which the company had or received by subscriptions. The children of Flourtown Grade School pledged $22.50. Among those who pledged were Emma T. Comly, a teacher who was (present member) Albert and Clement’s aunt; Ada Kimble (present member - Bob Wentz’s mother); and Agnes Kimble, who later became Mrs. Ephriam P. Kelley, wife of one of Flourtown’s early Fire Chiefs.
The property consisted of about 9 acres (36,000 m2) with buildings, one of which was first used as the firehouse. The company assumed a $4,800 mortgage for its purchase. It was satisfied in 1923. August 1923, saw the company order a 500-gallon pumper at the cost of $8,500. It was delivered the following February.
Joseph Rex was elected President in 1924 and held that office until 1947. In 1925, a 6-cycle locomobile was acquired through a gift from Mrs. Richard Cadwalader. This touring car was converted into a chemical truck at a cost of $2,600.00.
In 1920, the fire company’s first carnival was held on a lot near Wissahickon Avenue, and later years at the Carson College playground. Walter C. Smith, Sr., was appointed Chairman of the Carnival Committee in 1926 and laid the foundation for the famous “Flourtown Fair”, the largest fire fighter’s fair in Pennsylvania.
Mr. Smith died in 1932, but his enterprising efforts remained and were ably implemented by William J. Goss, who headed the Fair Committee until the final carnival was held in 1951.
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