Holmes Fire Co., 100 years old this year. Several talks coming soon

Holmes Fire Co. on Holmes Rd. about 1928. The original fire house was built by members.

 

Note: All volunteer fire companies do great jobs and Holmes Fire Co. is no exception. As Ridley Police Car 31-24 I went to many of their calls and helped out when needed. They always did a great job. Below are the firemen, I knew and  "ran" with.

 

 

 

Holmes Fire Co. early history

The article below is from 1922

 

It may be truly said that hearts of oak gave Holmes a fire company, after which these same hearts of oak set to work and constructed a firehouse.  Therefore, the most wonderful thing about these firemen is their indomitable spirit.

When the Holmes Fire Company and Civic Association organized three years ago its capital could be conveniently carried in the vest pocket.  Though lacking in financial resources, its membership brimmed over with determination.  At the same meeting at which the fire association took shape, a Ladies Auxiliary was also formed. And these women pledged their support in raising the necessary funds to purchase building material if the men would volunteer to construct a firehouse.  And this deal was soon consummated.  

The firemen assisted the women in every way possible.  Fairs, cake sales and festivals were held in rapid succession.  In the meantime the men had started the cellar. As sufficient funds were gathered it went for construction material.  The firemen worked after dinner and on Saturday afternoons. 

Last fall the present fire headquarters was completed and fittingly dedicated.  So far as the construction work was concerned, it had not cost one cent.   Every man who had contributed his labor did so voluntarily.   Therefore the Holmes firehouse stands as monument to the community spirit of its membership and signifies much more than its intended purpose.

Ignorant of the spirit which dedicated it, the stranger might not be overly impressed with the Holes firehouse.  Its architectural lines are proportionate, yet quite simple.  It is a frame structure, shingled, of one-story. The interior creates a comfortable appearance.  It is clean and orderly.  In the area of the interior a stage arises, which amateur dramatic talent frequently use to entertain the firemen and the public. 

There is a pool table and a piano; and there is a sign on the wall which emphasizes good behavior on the part of guests is positively requisite to a continuance of their presence on the premises.  The wording of this notice carries considerable weight behind it.  But no occasion has yet arisen to put the printed sentiment into execution.  And from the physical average avoirdupois of the personnel of the House Committee only a very foolish one would dare to transgress.

The apparatus consists of a hook and ladder purchased from the Swarthmore Fire Company and a hose carriage presented to the Holmes firemen by Collingdale, No 1, with two chemical tanks and 600 feet of hose.

​                There are 160 members on the rolls.  These are classified as active.   There are no club, or associated memberships.  If a president can’t answer to an alarm he can’t play pool in the club rooms.  He must be a fireman first, and a pool enthusiast secondly. 

 The civic association activities are tolerated after their fireman’s duties are concluded. The civics are not smothered nor discouraged, but if there ever existed an exalted community center this fire headquarters certainly exemplifies every degree of civic activity.  Nothing really good goes on at Holmes without it “goes on” in that firehouse, that is of a public nature.

E. A. Walls is president of the Holmes Fire Company and Civic Association; vice president, E. Eitele, secretary; George Powell; Treasurer, Mr. Baker, financial secretary; George Moore, Chief, R.W. King; assistants, George Powell and Mr. Spangler, Captain of salvage department, John Boyle, Jr., captain of policing, George Moore, chairman of Entertainment Committee, Albert Dawson.

The members of this company worship at the Shrine of its Ladies’ Auxiliary, the president of which is Mrs. R.W. King; Vice president, Mrs. George Moore; Treasurer, Mrs. Dawson, Secretary, Mrs. George Powell.

None of the apparatus is motorized.  Therefore horse and hand locomotion is still depended upon.  In this connection still another example of community open-mindedness magnifies.  Enos Rively, a Holmes truck man, furnishes the horsepower gratis.  This truck man’s drivers are given positive orders in case of a fire alarm to immediately hitch their teams and make haste for the firehouse.