Alan Mays' photos with the keyword: fire companies

"Union Steam Fire Engine & Hose Co., No. 1, Lebanon, Pa. 123-125 S. 9th St. (near Walnut)." Printed on the back of this postcard: "24224 - Pub. by Harpel's Art Store, Lebanon, Pa. Officers. President - Geo. T. Spang. Vice-Pres. - Wm. S. Rise. Secretary - Wm. A. Spangler. Treasurer - Chas. H. Killinger. Chief Eng. - Levi Hartz. Equipment - 2nd. size Amoskeag Engine, Hose Wagon. Organized Feb. 22, 1780. Chartered as Steam Fire Engine Co., March 19, 1866." According to an article that appeared in the Lebanon Daily News on April 22, 1970, p. 19, this was one of a series of fire company postcards published by Harpel's Art Store for the thirty-third annual convention of the Pennsylvania State Firemen's Association, which was held in Lebanon on September 10 to 14, 1912. For another Lebanon fire company postcard, see Liberty Steam Fire Engine and Hose Company, No. 3, Lebanon, Pa., 1912 .

Your favorite dog photo for the Vintage Photos Theme Park. Seated on fire engine no. 13, these proud Dalmatian parents watch over their seven pups, who are trying to squirm their way out of firefighter's footwear. I haven't been able to determine the origin of this snapshot. I spent quite some time squinting at the hood of the engine in an attempt to figure out the name of the fire company. It's possible that the letters "aniley" are in part of the name above "[fi]re co." but I wouldn't bet any money on it. In any case, this is currently my favorite dog photo.

This is a screen capture from Google Maps showing the Bartholdi Hose Company in 2013. For more information, see the postcard view of the Bartholdi Hose Company, Butler, New Jersey, ca. 1920 (below).

Postcard published by Rudolph Bros., New York City, and postmarked Aug. 26, 1922. According to the Butler Volunteer Fire Department 's Web page, the Bartholdi Hose Company No. 2 was established in Butler, New Jersey, in 1908, and the postcard view of its fire engine and firehouse (above) dates to 1922 or earlier. When I checked Google Maps, I was amazed to find that the Bartholdi Hose Company , as recorded by Google in 2013 (see screen capture below), looks much the same as it did 90 years earlier!

"25 Firemans Cards, 20 cts." A card pasted in an "Agent's Sample Book" that was issued by an unidentified calling card company. For an example of another card that was in the "Agent's Sample Book," see Comic Imp Card: I Am ________, Who the Devil Are You? For other firemen's calling cards, see below for C. H. Moscrip, H. G. Phelps Hose Company No. 1, Sidney, N.Y. , Eugene O. Chase, Second Leading Hoseman, Danielsonville, Conn. , and Fireman Calling Card .

"9704. Fire Headquarters, Creston, Ia. 1902. C.F.D."

"Hook & Ladder No. 1, responding to an alarm, Providence, R.I."

"Eugene O. Chase, Second Leading Hoseman, Danielsonville, Ct." For other firemen's calling cards, see Fireman Calling Card , C. H. Moscrip, H. G. Phelps Hose Company No. 1, Sidney, N.Y. , and Fireman's Card .

A postcard showing New York City firemen with their new motorized aerial ladder truck, probably sometime in the1910s. "Battalion 2" is inscribed in the stone above the arch of the building in the background, which turns out to be a firehouse located at 92 Lafayette Street in New York City. Amazingly enough, the building is still standing one hundred years after the firemen posed with their new equipment, and you can take a look at it using Google Maps view . No longer a firehouse, the building is now home to the Downtown Community Television Center , "a community media center located in Manhattan's Chinatown on Lafayette Street."

"Reading Fire Dept., on Penn Square, Labor Day, Reading, Pa." Printed on the back of this postcard: "Pub. by W. Chas. Lewars, Reading, Pa." The Reading Fire Department, Reading, Pennsylvania, marches in a Labor Day parade with horse-drawn fire equipment in this undated postcard view.

"Ox Roast, Labor Day, 1910, Ind. Fire Co." This rather dark real photo postcard shows a festive scene at a Labor Day celebration held in 1910 by "Ind. Fire Co." (Independent or Independence Fire Company, location unknown but probably somewhere in Pennsylvania). The "ox roast" likely referred to roast beef that was sliced and served in sandwiches.

An unused sample calling card for a fireman. For other firemen's calling cards, see Eugene O. Chase, Second Leading Hoseman, Danielsonville, Conn. , C. H. Moscrip, H. G. Phelps Hose Company No. 1, Sidney, N.Y. , and Fireman's Card .

"C. H. Moscrip, Sidney, N.Y. H. G. Phelps Hose #1. M. W. A. - #8777." For other firemen's calling cards, see Eugene O. Chase, Second Leading Hoseman, Danielsonville, Conn. , Fireman Calling Card , and Fireman's Card .

The 1893 edition of Boyd's Directory of Harrisburg and Steelton , p. 29, lists a "Hope Steam Fire Engine Co., No 2," in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, with an address on "2d [Street] bet[ween] State and North," and I believe that this is the same "Hope Fire Co. No. 2" described here, with a fire house located at "Second and North Streets." Although the fire company itself no longer exists, the "Hope Station" building is now the Fire House Restaurant . "Bazaar and fair, Hope Fire Co. No. 2, March 18 to 25 inclusive. We cordially invite you, your family, and friends to attend this bazaar and fair, which will be held in the parlor of fire house, Second and North Streets. Something doing every minute. Donations of cakes and candies will be appreciated. Admission free, everyone welcome. Raysor, printer."

"Fifteenth Annual Ball of the Reliance Fire Co., January 1st, 1879, Lady's Invitation."

"Grand Fireman's Dress Ball, American Fire Company, No. 5, at Fulton Hall, on Friday evening, March 8th, 1872. John Snyder, president, Rob't McDonnell, sec., Sam'l H. Price, treas. Tickets one dollar, to be prepaid."