![]() ![]() A custom was started by the council at that time to replace each truck every 20 years, so in 1945 the Seagrave was replaced with a Peter-Pirsch 65-foot aerial truck. That year, the Company received from the Borough a motorized Seagrave truck with a booster tank and complete set of wooden ladders, the largest being a 50-footer. The last team of Tom and Jerry was retired to the Harry Doyle farm in Neshanic in 1924. When an alarm sounded, horses were brought to the front of the truck and the harness dropped and buckled in a matter of seconds. Horses were stalled in the rear of the truck room and their harness hung from the ceiling with ropes and pulleys in front of the truck. The second apparatus was sold to Port Reading in 1909 and a horse-drawn Seagrave hook and ladder truck was purchased. To raise additional monies, the Hooks used their team and dump truck to collect garbage in town, and it was the duty of the Treasurer to collect 25 cents a week from each customer. The truck room was on the first floor and a public pool and billiards room was on the second floor, a source of income to help pay for the building. A three-story brick building was erected and dedicated in 1902. Entertainment, minstrel shows, and card parties were held to raise funds, and finally a lot was purchased on Division Street. This first truck was sold to Roselle in 1896 and a hand-drawn “Wonder” truck was purchased.Īt this time, a movement was started to procure larger quarters. ![]() The truck was housed in a small frame building on Union Street, rent for which was paid by the members. Later these bonds were paid off with interest. They resigned from the Engine Company and together with several other volunteers, organized Central Hook & Ladder Company #1 in June of that year with 18 charter members.Ī hand-drawn ladder truck was purchased with money raised by the sale of $5.00 bonds in Somerville and Raritan. In the summer of 1880, several members of the Somerville Engine Company #1 decided there was a need in Somerville for a hook and ladder truck. ![]()
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