Early North Carolina Volunteer Fire Companies Database

This page is a catalog of early volunteer fire companies in North Carolina. The criteria for inclusion is any fire company that preceded a fully-paid fire department. Contact Mike Legeros to contribute or correct information.

Last updated March 14, 2021

City

County

Department

Started

Ended

Colored

Notes

Asheville

Buncombe

Fire Company #1

1884

 

 

Formed shortly after Sulphur Springs Hotel in West Asheville burned for second time in late 1884. Source: FD yearbook

Asheville

Buncombe

Fire Company #3

1899, by

 

 

News & Observer, August 4, 1899

Asheville

Buncombe

Hook and Ladder #1

1902, by

 

 

News & Observer, July 23, 1902

Asheville

Buncombe

Hose #1

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Asheville

Buncombe

Hose #2

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Asheville

Buncombe

Ladder #1

1882

 

 

Formed after fatal residential fire in August 1882. Source: FD yearbook

Beaufort

Carteret

R. E. Lee Reel Team

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Belhaven

Beaufort

Fire company

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Benson

Johnston

Fire company

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Brevard

Transylvania

Fire company

1892, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Burlington

Alamance

Fire Company #1

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Chapel Hill

Orange

Fire Company #1

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Charlotte

Mecklenburg

Fire Company #1

1902, by

 

 

News & Observer, July 20, 1902

Charlotte

Mecklenburg

Hornet Reel

1899, by

 

 

News & Observer, August 13, 1889

Charlotte

Mecklenburg

Independence Hook and Ladder

 

 

 

 

Charlotte

Mecklenburg

Neptune

1860s?

1907

x

African-American (?)

Charlotte

Mecklenburg

Pioneer

1903, by

 

 

News & Observer, August 12, 1903

Concord

Cabarrus

Cabarrus Reel Team

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Concord

Cabarrus

Cannonville Reel Team #1

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Concord

Cabarrus

Chemical Hose #1

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Concord

Cabarrus

Hose and Reel #1

1887

 

 

News & Observer, August 12, 1903; FD site

Concord

Cabarrus

Hose #2

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Concord

Cabarrus

Hook and Ladder

1887

 

X

African-American; FD site

Concord

Catawba

Hose and Reel

1887

 

 

Source: FD site.

Concord

Catawba

Hook and Ladder

1900, by

 

x

African-American. Source: FD site.

Dunn

Harnett

Luckmon

1906

 

 

Raleigh Times, July 15, 1916

Dunn

Harnett

Rough and Ready

1906

1907

 

Raleigh Times, July 15, 1916

Dunn

Harnett

Winnie Davis

1906

 

 

Raleigh Times, July 15, 1916

Durham

Durham

Bucket Company

1880, by

 

 

Source: Unofficial FD site.

Durham

Durham

Chemical Fire Company

1882

 

 

Source: Unofficial FD site.

Durham

Durham

Dick Blackwell Hose #1

1880s

 

 

Source: Unofficial FD site.

Durham

Durham

Excelsior Hook and Ladder #1

1880s

 

x

African-American. Source: Unofficial FD site.

Durham

Durham

Hook & Ladder #1

1880, by

 

 

Source: Unofficial FD site.

Durham

Durham

Hose #1

1890s?

 

 

News & Observer, August 12, 1903

Durham

Durham

Hose #2

1890s?

 

 

News & Observer, August 12, 1903

Durham

Durham

Independent Hose #2

1880s

 

 

Source: Unofficial FD site.

East Spencer

Rowan

Fire #1

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

East Spencer

Rowan

White Rose

1910s

 

x

African-American

Edenton

Chowan

Hose #1

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Edenton

Chowan

Hose #2

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Edenton

Chowan

Hose #3

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Edenton

Chowan

Phoenix Hook and Ladder

1905, by

 

X

NCSVFA proceedings, 1905

Elizabeth City

Camden

Quick Step Hook and Ladder

1891

1977

x

African-American

Elizabeth City

Pasquotank

Albemarle

1873

 

 

Raleigh Times, July 15, 1916

Elizabeth City

Pasquotank

Excelsior Hook and Ladder, also
Hook and Ladder

1891

 

x

African-American. Source: http://www.northeast-nc.com/moa/inez.cfm , NCSFA Proceedings, 1899
Named Excelsior in NCSVFA proceedings, 1905

Elizabeth City

Pasquotank

Fire Company #1

1903

 

 

Raleigh Times, July 15, 1916

Elizabeth City

Pasquotank

Quick Step Hook and Ladder

1921, by

 

x

African-American. Source: http://www.northeast-nc.com/moa/inez.cfm

Enfield

Halifax

Fire company

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1899

Enfield

Halifax

Gas Engine

1923, by

 

 

NCSVFA proceedings, 1923

Fayetteville

Cumberland

Chicora Steam Fire Engine

1902, by

 

 

News & Observer, July 23, 1902

Fayetteville

Cumberland

H. R. Company

1923, by

 

X

NCSVFA proceedings, 1923

Fayetteville

Cumberland

Hose #1

1902, by

 

 

News & Observer, July 10, 1900

Fremont

Wayne

Fire company

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Gastonia

Gaston

Fire company

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Goldsboro

Wayne

Eclipse Steam Engine

1903, by

 

 

News & Observer, August 23, 1903

Goldsboro

Wayne

Electric Reel

1902, by

 

 

News & Observer, July 23, 1902

Goldsboro

Wayne

Fire #1

1903, by

 

 

News & Observer, August 12, 1903

Graham

Alamance

Hose #1

1906?

 

 

Raleigh Times, July 15, 1916

Graham

Alamance

Hose #2

1906, after

 

 

Raleigh Times, July 15, 1916

Greensboro

Guilford

Eagle Hose #7

1891

after 1926

 

Source: 2001 yearbook

Greensboro

Guilford

Excelsior Hose #2

1892

1904

x

African-American. Source: 2001 yearbook

Greensboro

Guilford

Hook and Ladder #1

1884

after 1926

 

Source: 2001 yearbook

Greensboro

Guilford

Southside Hose #4

1894

after 1926

 

Source: 2001 yearbook

Greensboro

Guilford

Steam Fire Engine #1

1884

after 1926

 

Also known as General Greene Company. Source: 2001 yearbook

Greensboro

Guilford

West End Hose #5

1897

after 1926

 

Source: 2001 yearbook

Greenville

Pitt

Head Hawk Fire

1899, by

 

x

African-American. Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1899

Greenville

Pitt

Hope Fire

1899, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1899

Greenville

Pitt

Rough and Ready Fire

1899, by

 

x

African-American. Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1899

Henderson

Vance

Enterprise Reel , also
Enterprise H. R. #2 (by 1905)

1899, by

 

x

African-American. Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1899

Henderson

Vance

Joint H. R. #1

1905, by

 

X

NCSVFA proceedings, 1905

Henderson

Vance

Hose company

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Henderson

Vance

Nelson Hose

1899, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1899

Henderson

Vance

Red Wasp Hook and Ladder

1899, by

 

x

African-American. Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1899

High Point

Guilford

Chestnut Hill

 

 

 

News & Observer, July 25, 1912

High Point

Guilford

North Side

 

 

 

News & Observer, July 28, 1910

High Point

Guilford

Motor Hose and Chemical #2

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

High Point

Guilford

Eagle Hose #1

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

High Point

Guilford

Myrtle Hose #3

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

High Point

Guilford

West End Fire

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Kinston

Lenoir

LaGrange Relief #1

1899, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1899

Kinston

Lenoir

Caswell #1

 

 

 

 

Kinston

Lenoir

East Kinston Hose

 

 

 

 

Kinston

Lenoir

Hook and Ladder

1916, by

 

x

African-American. Raleigh Times, July 15, 1916

Kinston

Lenoir

Hose #2

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Kinston

Lenoir

Steam Fire Engine #1

1902, by

 

 

News & Observer, July 23, 1902

Lenoir

Caldwell

Hose Company

1908

 

 

Source: FD site

Lexington

Davidson

Hose #1

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Lexington

Davidson

Hose #2

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Lexington

Davidson

Hook & Ladder #3

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Lincolnton

Lincoln

Reel Team #1

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Louisburg

Franklin

Fire Company #1

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Louisburg

Franklin

Cheatham Reel Team

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Lumberton

Robeson

Riverside

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Monroe

Union

Monroe H. R. #1

1905, by

 

 

NCSVFA proceedings, 1905

Monroe

Union

Independent

1908, by

 

 

News & Observer, June 19, 1908

Monroe

Union

Independent

1899, by

 

x

African-American. Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1899

Mooresville

Iredell

Fire company

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Morehead City

Carteret

Bay Side Hose #2

1899, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1899

Morehead City

Carteret

Hose #1

1910

 

 

Raleigh Times, July 15, 1916

Morehead City

Carteret

Hose #2

1915

 

 

Raleigh Times, July 15, 1916

Morganton

Burke

Fire Company #1

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Morganton

Burke

Junior Reel Team

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Mount Olive

Duplin

Fire company

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

New Bern

Craven

Various

 

 

 

See chart at www.legeros.com/history/charts

Oxford

Granville

Edwards Hook and Ladder

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Oxford

Granville

Sixth Ward Reel

 

 

 

 

Oxford

Granville

Swift Foot H. R.

1905, by

 

 

NCSVFA proceedings, 1905

Princeville

Edgecombe

Union Hook and Ladder

1905, by

 

 

NCSVFA proceedings, 1905

Princeville

Edgecombe

Princeville H. R. and H. E.

1923, by

 

 

NCSVFA proceedings, 1923

Raleigh

Wake

Various

 

 

 

See chart at www.legeros.com/history/charts

Red Springs

Robeson

Fire company

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Roanoke Rapids

Halifax

Fire company

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Rockingham

Richmond

Fire company

 

 

 

 

Rocky Mount

Nash

Excelsior Hook and Ladder

 

 

x

African-American

Rocky Mount

Nash

Reel Company #1

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Rocky Mount

Nash

Steam Fire Engine #1

 

 

 

News & Observer, July 23, 1902

Salem

Forsyth

Eagle Hose #4

 

 

 

News & Observer, July 23, 1902

Salem

Forsyth

Rough and Ready

1784

 

 

 

Salisbury

Rowan

Athletic Hose Reel

 

 

x

NCSVFA proceedings, 1905

Salisbury

Rowan

Hand Reel #1

1899, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1899

Salisbury

Rowan

Hook and Ladder

1903, by

 

 

News & Observer, August 12, 1903

Salisbury

Rowan

Hose Company #1

1903, by

 

 

News & Observer, August 12, 1903

Salisbury

Rowan

Independent Fire #2

1903, by

 

 

News & Observer, August 12, 1903

Salisbury

Rowan

North Side Fire #1

1903, by

 

 

News & Observer, August 12, 1903

Salisbury

Rowan

Southern Hose #1

1900, by

 

 

News & Observer, July 10, 1900

Salisbury

Rowan

South Side Reel Team #1

1910, by

 

 

News & Observer, July 28, 1910

Salisbury

Rowan

Vigilante

1855

 

 

Source: FD site.

Sanford

Lee

Hose #1

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Sanford

Lee

Lyon

 

 

 

News & Observer, August 12, 1903

Shelby

Cleveland

Fire company

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Southern Pines

Moore

Hose #1

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Southern Pines

Moore

Hose #2

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Southern Pines

Moore

Hook and Ladder

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Spencer

Rowan

Spencer #1

1903, by

 

 

News & Observer, August 12, 1903

Statesville

Iredell

Defiance H. R. #2

1905, by

 

X

NCSVFA proceedings, 1905

Statesville

Iredell

Fire Company #1

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Statesville

Iredell

Statesville Hose Reel

 

 

x

African-American

Tarboro

Edgecombe

Hook and Ladder

1903, by

 

 

News & Observer, August 12, 1903

Tarboro

Edgecombe

Fulton Hook and Ladder

1905, by

 

x

NCSVFA proceedings, 1905

Tarboro

Edgecombe

West End Hose #3

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Warrenton

Warren

Plummer Hand Engine #2

1905, by

 

x

NCSVFA proceedings, 1905

Warrenton

Warren

Plummer Hook and Ladder #1

 

 

 

 

Washington

Beaufort

Dibble Hose

1905, by

 

x

NCSVFA proceedings, 1905

Washington

Beaufort

Hose #1

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Washington

Beaufort

Ocean Steam Fire Engine

1881

 

 

News & Observer, August 12, 1903; FD site

Washington

Beaufort

Phoenix Hook and Ladder

1902, by

 

 

News & Observer, July 23, 1902

Washington

Beaufort

Salamander Hose Reel

1881

 

x

African-American; FD site

Washington

Beaufort

West End Hose

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Wilmington

New Hanover

Banneker Hose Reel

1883

1888

x

African-American. Source: STS

Wilmington

New Hanover

Brooklyn #4

1866, by

after 1883

x

African-American. Source: STS

Wilmington

New Hanover

Cape Fear Steam

1871

1897

x

African-American. First all-black steam fire engine company in U.S. Disbanded in November 1897 after Wilmington Fire Department became fully paid. Source: STS

Wilmington

New Hanover

Chemical #1

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Wilmington

New Hanover

Compton Hose Reel #2

1894

1897

x

African-American. Source: STS

Wilmington

New Hanover

Dreadnaught Bucket #5

1876, ca

after 1893

x

African-American. Source: STS

Wilmington

New Hanover

Engine #1

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Wilmington

New Hanover

Engine #2

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Wilmington

New Hanover

Fire Engine #1

by 1866

after 1869

x

African-American. Source: STS

Wilmington

New Hanover

Fifth Ward Hook and Ladder

 

 

 

News & Observer, July 25, 1893

Wilmington

New Hanover

Fire King Engine #2

by 1866

after 1866

x

African-American. Source: STS

Wilmington

New Hanover

Hook and Ladder #1

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Wilmington

New Hanover

Hose #3

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Wilmington

New Hanover

Howard Relief Steam Fire Engine #1

 

 

 

News & Observer, July 25, 1893

Wilmington

New Hanover

Independent Bucket

By 1876

After 1876

x

African-American. Source: STS

Wilmington

New Hanover

J.C. Abbott Fire Engine #5

by 1866

After 1869

x

African-American. Source: STS

Wilmington

New Hanover

Kidder Hill Fire

By 1882

After 1882

x

African-American. Source: STS

Wilmington

New Hanover

Little Columbia Bucket and Hose Reel

by 1884

After 1888

x

African-American. Source: STS

Wilmington

New Hanover

Mechanics Hose

1872

After 1872

x

African-American. Source: STS

Wilmington

New Hanover

Phoenix Hose Reel #1

1882

1897

x

African-American. Source: STS

Wilmington

New Hanover

Steam Fire Engine #1

 

 

 

News & Observer, July 25, 1893

Wilmington

New Hanover

Vigilant #3

1866, by

After 1870

x

African-American. Source: STS

Wilmington

New Hanover

Wilmington Fire Bucket #1

1874

After 1884

x

African-American. Source: STS

Wilson

Wilson

Hose #2

1900, by

 

 

News & Observer, July 10, 1900

Wilson

Wilson

Red Hots #2

1905, by

 

X

NCSVFA proceedings, 1905

Winston

Forsyth

Red Hot Hose Reel

 

 

x

African-American

Winston

Forsyth

Hook and Ladder #1

1902, by

 

 

News & Observer, July 23, 1902

Winston

Forsyth

Hook and Ladder #2

1905, by

 

X

NCSVFA proceedings, 1905

Winston

Forsyth

Hose #3

1902, by

 

 

News & Observer, July 23, 1902

Winston

Forsyth

Hose Reel #1

1905, by

 

x

NCSVFA proceedings, 1905

Winston

Forsyth

Steam Fire Engine #2

1902, by

 

 

News & Observer, July 23, 1902

Winston

Forsyth

Steam Fire Engine #2

1902, by

 

 

News & Observer, July 23, 1902

Winston-Salem

Forsyth

Engine #1

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Winston-Salem

Forsyth

Engine #2

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Winston-Salem

Forsyth

Engine #3

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Winston-Salem

Forsyth

Engine #4

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Winston-Salem

Forsyth

Hose #5

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Winston-Salem

Forsyth

Hook and Ladder #1

1916, by

 

 

Source: NCSFA Proceedings, 1916

Winston-Salem

Forsyth

Liberty

 

 

 

 

Winston-Salem

Forsyth

West Side Hose

 

 

 

 

Sources

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