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Darby Fire Company #1
4 Quarry St
Darby, PA 19023
(610) 583-5111
Founded in 1775 Darby Fire Company #1 is the oldest VOLUNTEER fire department in Delaware County. Darby Fire Company #1 is the 2nd oldest in Pennsylvania and 5th oldest in the Country. Below is a brief look into our “MOST AGGRESSIVE” history.
In December of 1774 a fire occurred in house, which took the lives of 2 children, the loss of 2 lives due to fire sent a shock wave thru the small village of Darby. Several male residents of the village came together and organized “the Darby Fire Company” on the 27th day of January, 1775
In 1824 the company purchased an engine from A.D. Richmond Hydraulics Company in Philadelphia for the sum of $250.00. It was a used hand engine of the rotary vane style pump which could be filled with buckets of water and operated with six men. The new engine was housed in the ladder house at the Blue Bell Inn. The engine was painted red with gild stars and stripping on the sides of the body and top of the pump, the words ”VOLUNTEER” were painted in gild on the side of the pump mounts. The engine was nicknamed” The Ram” as the ram was the mascot of the woolen mills in Darby and the surrounding area. The ram was well know throughout the county as it was the first fire engine in Delaware County, parades, fireworks and celebrations were held in its honor.
A hose cart was purchased in 1834 and a permanent engine house was built on was today 9th Street across from the old borough hall for a price of $106.00. The engine and hose cart were moved from the blue bell property to the new engine house and the words ” Darby Fire Engine” painted above the door on the new engine house.
In 1872 the company purchased a used horse drawn engine from ”Shiffler Hose Company” which was disbanded due to Philadelphia organizing a paid fire department.
The engine purchase was a Philadelphia style engine, double deck, which could be operated by 10-12 men, this engine style was used a hydrant piece. The “Shiffler” engine was purchased for $400.00 and was operated by a team of horse’s provided by members of the company who owned farms in the area, it is written that the engine was rolled down to the trolley tracks and attached to the back of the trolley to locations on the far sides of town.
In December of 1911 a corner lot at Chester Turnpike and Quarry St. was up for sale and it was purchased for $2500.00 on February 25, 1911.
And here we are still today...
“MOST AGGRESSIVE”
.*Please watch for a book about Darby Fire Company #1. Its history, apparatus, famous member’s profiles, and how this small village and its residents played a big part in the formation and protection of The United States of America. Coming early 2010!
