Sellersville Fire Company No. 1

When Sellersville was first incorportated as a borough back in 1874, the formation of a fire company wasn't a high priority. During the spring of 1881, the initial form of fire protection was the use of paper buckets purchased by the borough that would be used by citizens in case of any fire or any other emergency. But it wasn't until four years later, in spring of 1885, that the citizens of Sellersville petitioned the borough for a better form of fire protection. The Borough Council responded by purchasing two large ladders and a dozen more paper buckets.

It wasn't until three prominent industries were destroyed by fire in 1888 that the need for an organized fire company was essential to the town's growth. On May 24th, 1888, the Borough Council appointed two citzens, Charles N. Cressman and Charles M. Berkemeyer, to conduct a special election in the former Sellers' Tavern building. The ballot saw a proposal for the Borough to obtain fire apparatus to form a fire company. In a vote of 59 to 2, the idea of an organized Company moved forward. June 4, 1888, the town council appointed four borough residents, Charles N. Cressman, Harrison C. Stout, John R. Newbold, and Henry H. "Harry" Cope, to organize a volunteer fire company. On June 7, 1888 the Sellersville Volunteer Fire Company was organized - being the first in the North Penn region.

Summer of 1888, Borough Council purchased a lot near the railroad intersection on North Main Street that would house the newly organized Sellersville Volunteer Fire Company. By October, the new 24' X 44' firehouse, frequently refered to as "Firemen's Hall", was completed. The first floor was used to store fire apparatus and the second floor was used for company meetings and Borough Council Chambers. Years later in 1894, a two-story addition was constructed off the rear of the building, housing three jail cells on the first floor and new Borough Council Chambers on the second.

In the 1920's, the original 1888 firehouse was quickly being outgrown. In January 1925 the Ladies Auxillary, organized in January 1910 to support the Fire Department, purchased a lot of land on Main Street next to the Northeast Branch of the Perkiomen Creek to construct a new firehouse. The new firehouse was more centrally located in town to better serve the growing southern part of the Borough. Construction began in the summer of 1927 on a new two story brick building measuring 32' X 98' was completed in the summer of 1928. The first floor had three apparatus bays to the left, a social room for members in the center, and 2 storefronts to the right. On the second floor there was a large social hall and kitchen. The building was expanded twice in the 1950s as well as 1964. The building was eventually razed in 1996 to make way for the Department's current building.

By 1997 construction was completed on the larger, state of the art firehouse that was able to suit the growing Department's needs. The new firehouse was constructed further back from Main Street than the previous firehouse, provided a larger banquet hall and kitchen for rentals, club room for the members, and larger pull-thru apparatus bays.

(125th Anniversary of the Department - 2013)

In 1979, the Department began leasing a structure at the intersection of Forrest Road and Ridge Valley Road from West Rockhill Township to be used as a substation. Station 87, as it was numbered, housed the 1974 Ford-FMC-Spartan-John Bean pumper as well as the 1971 Dodge Power Wagon field unit. Due to a lack of volunteers, delayed response times, and lack of financial support, the substation was closed on February 28, 1999.

Sellersville Volunteer Hose Company No. 2

To this day, very little is known about Company No. 2. Early Borough Council minutes and other local newspapers refer to a "Sellersville Volunteer Hose Company No. 2" being located in the south end of Sellersville, refered to as "Jersey" by those residents. In early 1898, a petition was signed by the residents of "Jersey" requesting the Borough to establish a fire station. No builidng was ever constructed during that time, but equipment may have been purchased.

On April 6, 1911 the Sellersville Volunteer Fire Company, No. 2 was officially organized. President of the new Company, Frederick Schubert (who was also the General Manager of the U.S. Gauge Company), donated land from the U.S. Gauge property to construct a new building for Comapny   No. 2. The new building was built on the South side of E Clymer Avenue not far from the Gauge property and on September 20, 1911 Company No. 2 was incorporated. A 1913 Sanborn Insurance map below shows the location of the firehouse being roughly located around the slight bend on E Clymer Avenue. (Believed to be approxmiately where the present day Sellersville Beverage parking lot is.)

In the approximate location of Company 2's firehouse, the Sanborn Insurance map states: "140' to BR. Fire Ho. 14' X 22' with 600' 2 1/2" new Borough hose on 2 wheel jumper." In this description, a 2 wheel jumper is a smaller hose cart. This description gives us one of the only references to equipment that Company 2 had.

(Sellersville Volunteer Fire Company No. 2, ca. 1913)

(Chief Charles H. Daub, center of photo)

1913 Sanborn Insurance map. Both Fire House locations are seen marked with a "+" sign

The above Sanborn Insurance map from December 1913 describes the Borough's fire service as: "Volunteer - 2 companies - 50 members in each. No horses. 1 hand Eng. 2 - 2 wheel hose jumpers. 1 - 4 wheel hose carriage. 1 H. & L. truck - 1900' 2 1/2" cotton rubber lined hose - good - alarm by whistle on I.O.O.F. Temple bldg. supplemented by split tire alarm at R.R. crossing where gateman is on duty all night ..."

Company No. 2 was only in service for a few short years. Although several members from Company No. 1 left to join the ranks of Company No.2, on July 21, 1920, the two companies merged. After the two companies merged, they reorganized being recognized as the Sellersville Volunteer Fire Department.

Sellersville Fire Chiefs

Below is a list of all the men who have served as Chief for both Sellersville Companies as well as the consolidated Department. Until the two Companies combined their efforts, several accounts suggest that the office of Chief was shared between Company No.1 and Company No. 2. Minutes state the election for Chief would take place at Company No. 1's headquarters on odd-numbered years and at Company No. 2's headquarters on even-numbered years.

Information obtained from Timothy D. Hufnagle's book, "Sellersville, PA. a Tapestry Through Time 1738-2013"