Welcome to the history page of Newtown Fire ~ Rescue. Established in the early 1800s, our organization has evolved from a volunteer fire company to a modern emergency service provider. Our journey is marked by key milestones, from our first hand-pumper, "Old Washy," to today's advanced firefighting equipment and techniques.
Discover the dedication and innovation that have defined our mission to protect and serve the Newtown community for over two centuries. Join us as we explore the rich heritage and continued commitment of Newtown Fire ~ Rescue.
Newtown Fire Association members posing in front of the 1901 Liberty Street firehouse before the 1915 Bucks County Fireman’s Parade
2009 Bucks County Fireman’s Parade
The Early Days
The roots of Newtown Fire ~ Rescue trace back to the early 1800s, when the first fire company in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, was established. Originally known as the Washington Fire Company, it served the community of Newtown, the county seat of Bucks County.
The Formation of the Fire Company
The American institution known as the “volunteer fire company” was first created in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Benjamin Franklin in 1736. Citizen groups were established to protect public and private property from fire damage. “Bucket Brigades” were organized to extinguish the fires, as pumpers or ladder trucks were then unknown.
Years later, in the early 1800s (the exact date is unknown, and the only preserved minutes of this company are dated 1824), the first fire company in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, was established. Located in Newtown – the county seat of Bucks County – it was called the Washington Fire Company.
In 1823, the active members of this company, or “engineers” as they called themselves, consisted of at least seventeen men. At a meeting held February 17, 1824, the treasurer was ordered to pay a bill of $14.63 incurred by “the committee for hooks and ladders,” and a new committee of three was appointed to “draft a report to be made to the company of the state of the engine.”
Undated photo of members with “Old Washy”
The Acquisition of "Old Washy
This organization was fortunate enough to purchase a hand pump, that later earned the name “Old Washy” from its members. It is currently housed in the Firehouse Museum. “Old Washy” was built by Patrick Lyons of Philadelphia in 1812 but bears the date 1796 on its side, after the date the Washington Fire Company was organized in Philadelphia.
The earliest known preserved account of Old Washy's use. was found in the Doylestown newspaper, the Bucks County Patriot, issue of January 24, 1825, describes the destruction of the big barn at the Silver Lake Farm in Newtown belonging to Messrs. Thomas and John Janney.
1812 Hand Pumper "Old Washy" and its craftsman, Patrick Lyons of Philadelphia.
The Construction of Newtown's First Firehouse
Probably not long after the organization of the Washington Fire Company, an engine house was constructed on the north side of Centre Avenue immediately east of Newtown Creek (behind the present-day First National Bank).
Undated fire company group photo
Construction is known to have been finished before 1831, but the exact date is not recorded. The firehouse was built before the Borough of Newtown was incorporated in 1838.
Interestingly enough, after the Borough property lines were drawn, the firehouse was discovered to rest half in Newtown Borough and half in Newtown Township. For over half a century, the firehouse site has been called Island No.10, and a frame dwelling house was later built on it, which was demolished in 1956. The area is currently the Newtown Borough parking lot.
For more than 40 years, the Washington Fire Company provided adequate protection to the village of Newtown and its rural environment.
On June 16, 1865, the fire engine and other equipment were turned over to the Borough of Newtown by resolution of the Washington Fire Engine Company of Newtown, under the condition that the Borough keep the same in good order and use it at fires in the Newtown area. This act officially ended the affairs of the Washington Fire Company.
Growth and Expansion
As Newtown grew, so did the capabilities and reach of its fire service. The transition from bucket brigades to a more organized firefighting effort marked the beginning of significant growth and expansion.
From Bucket Brigades to Organized Firefighting
In 1865, following the dissolution of the Washington Fire Company, the Newtown Borough Council appointed a Chief Engineer and assistants to create a code of rules for using and caring for firefighting equipment. By 1870, the condition of the equipment, including the faithful "Old Washy," was heavily criticized by the local newspaper, the Newtown Enterprise, which lamented, “We in Newtown have nothing but a heavy concern that rarely ever sees the daylight or water.”
Public dissatisfaction led to a new fire company in 1871, the Winona Fire Company, named after its predecessor and its “new” second-hand engine. The Winona Fire Company was formally organized on June 27, 1871, and it was equipped with two hand-drawn, hand-pumped engines provided by the Borough. That same year, a new engine house was built on Liberty Street, where the current building stands. George R. Rowland was awarded the construction contract for $475.00, and he built the house of red brick with a pressed brick front and a tin roof on a lot measuring 25 by 28 feet.
The Original Liberty Street Firehouse, Circa 1871
The Establishment of the Newtown Fire Association
On October 28, 1889, following the terrible fire at the Watson and Buckman Planning Mill in Newtown, a meeting was held to form a new fire company. On the evening of November 13, 1889, a permanent organization – the Newtown Fire Association – was established by adopting the constitution and by-laws. This organization received its equipment from the Winona Fire Company, and it included two hand-drawn pumpers, a four-wheel hose carriage, four hundred feet of leather hose, and fifty-seven buckets – but no suitable ladders, axes, bars, or hooks.
In September 1891, the Newtown Borough Council purchased a fire bell, weighing more than eight hundred pounds, in order that the “alarm of fire” could be “widely spread”. This bell is still located atop the firehouse.
The Station's First Apparatus
The first fire apparatus purchased by the Newtown Fire Association was a ladder wagon built by Warner and McGowan, the local carriage makers. It was purchased for $400.00 on July 4, 1892. The apparatus is still in the possession of the Newtown Fire Association and can be viewed in the museum.
In the summer of 1897, the fire engine, Winona, was sold to Perkasie, and the Borough purchased a horse-drawn steam pumper made by Silsby Manufacturing Company, Seneca Falls, New York. The Borough of Newtown paid $1,500.00 for the pumper. It was paid for by a $1,500.00 bond issue supplemented by contributions from individuals, insurance companies, George School, and Newtown Artesian Water Company. The steam pumper had a rotary-type pump that was supposed to operate at six hundred gallons per minute.
1892 Ladder Wagon
1897 Silsby Steamer
"To Extinguish Fires and Protect Life and Property"
On September 16, 1901, the company was formally incorporated under the name of “Newtown Fire Association No. 1” to " extinguish fires and protect life and property.” In that same year, a new firehouse was erected on Liberty Street. This was the second station on this site and the third in the Borough. A two-bay addition was added to this station in 1959. This station currently houses our museum and meeting rooms.
On September 16, 1901, the company was formally incorporated under the name of “Newtown Fire Association No. 1” to " extinguish fires and protect life and property.” In that same year, a new firehouse was erected on Liberty Street. This was the second station on this site and the third in the Borough. A two-bay addition was added to this station in 1959. This station currently houses our museum and meeting rooms.
1901 Liberty Street Firehouse
As the 20th century progressed, technological advancements continued to enhance the fire association's capabilities. A new REO Speedwagon combination chemical and pumper truck was purchased in 1923, significantly improving firefighting efficiency. The Kearns Doughy pumper, acquired in 1924, was replaced by the Ward La France quadruple combination ladder truck in 1947. In 1971, the American La France 80’ Aerial Platform was added, serving the community until 1988 when it was replaced by a 100’ Pierce Arrow rear mount aerial ladder with a 1250 G.P.M. pump.
1897 Silsby Steamer