The Fire Department Bell Saga
by Allan R. Way, Company Historian

In the mid 1880's, James Bearing acquired the Oppie home on Main Street at what is now the entrance to the Old Post Mall. This house was subsequently purchased by James Adriance, who was the Fishkill Postmaster during the 1940’s and 1950’s. That house was razed in the 1980's and replaced with the professional office building that is on the left as you enter Taylor Lane from Main Street.

Anyhow, when Bearing remodeled the buildings, he took down a small bell that had been hung on one of his barns for some 25 years and gave it to the Fire Department. David M. Horton built a cupola on the roof of the engine house, which at this time was on Robinson Street, and hung the bell in it. For 20 years after, this was the Department Fire Alarm.

A Day in the History of the Fishkill Fire Department

October 3rd, 1912 was day in the history of Protection Engine that saw the widest possible range of emotion. It was the day that the panoramic photograph was taken of all the marchers in field where Emery and Webb Insurance Co stands. As the account by Herman Dean from his 100th Anniversary of PECo book points out, it was a beautiful, more summer like day than a typical autumn day. The parade was a huge success and everyone enjoyed themselves during and after the parade. Then evening came. What turned out to be a false alarm was sounded and by the time all was said and done, a young man visiting from Newburgh lost his life. Here is Herman Dean’s account.

For the season, it was an unusually warm day, more appropriate to July or August. The town had been gaily decorated; in fact many of the decorations were elaborate. The streets had been swept and cleaned and the Village looked very pretty. Visitors began to arrive in the morning, but the bulk of out-of-town people who witnessed the festivities did not arrive until about the time the parade started.

By Allan R. Way, Company Historian.

This account is based on Herman Dean’s record of the details form our 100th Anniversary Book published in 1929.

The date was September 12th, 1906. The number of visitors in town that day was estimated at 7,000. No TV, No radio, no malls. This was a big deal. The Village population was only a couple of hundred at this time. Many of the stores and houses were elaborately decorated.

By Allan R. Way, Company Historian

One of the items of business during the monthly meeting held in February of 1906 was to send a note of sympathy to Dr. Howell Whit for the "loss and annoyance" he had experienced through the destruction of his barns by fire. Dr. White was a medical doctor whose home and farm was on Main Street about across from Luyster Place is today.

The Fishkill School Fire of 1909
Allan R. Way, Company Historian

September 14th, 1909 was the date of one of Fishkill's most tragic fires. At least the adults thought so. The kids were happy, because this is the day that the school burned down. Herman Dean, who ran a local newspaper, wrote a history of Protection Engine on the occasion of its 100th anniversary in 1929. This account is taken from that book to which I have added new or additional information...