Research notes on the history of the Goldsboro Fire Department. Primary sources are cited newspaper articles.
Before 1900
1869 – Notice in newspaper: “Citizens of Goldsboro! Do you want a reliable Fire Company to be composed of white men? If you do, then go, without fail, and attend the meeting at the Court House this evening.” [Goldsboro Daily Messenger, 7/8/69]
1873 – Dr. B. F. Arrington is carrying around a “subscription list” to procure a fire engine for the town. [Goldsboro Messenger, 3/13/73]
1878 – Letter to editor in newspaper from Julius Ash, who has received a fire engine named “Little Giant” and that he proposes to sell to the town, as “there is nothing in this town to extinguish a fire.” Nor is there a fire company. [GM, 5/9/78]
1879 – Town commissioners have “unanimously resolved” to purchase a fire engine. [GM, 8/11/79]
1879 – Town commissions at that last meeting appointed a committee to “solicit subscriptions for the purpose of purchasing a fire engine fore the town.” [GM, 8/25/79]
1879 – Town officials approved purchase of a Silsby steam engine for $3,900, includes 1,000 feet of hose and a hose carriage. [GM, 9/4/79] The purchase was subsequent “rescinded” as town officials didn’t believe a majority of voters would approve the purchase. [GM, 9/25/79]
1880s – Lionel Weil was Chief of Department by this time. He was the city’s first documented fire chief. He served until 1884. [GFD]
1880 – Around this time the market house and fire station was erected on Ash Street. [Goldsboro News, 2/26/28]
1881 – Champion chemical engine has been purchased for $2,220. Named “Goldsboro.” [GM, 3/24/81, 7/28/83]
1881 – Newspaper notice. “The subject of organizing a fire company is now under consideration, and we learn that a meeting to that end is shortly to be held. We hope to see a good company organized.” [GM, 4/7/81]
1881 – City ordnances adopted on June 1, 1881, included a section on “Fire and Fire Companies.” It included the requirement that the board of aldermen annually appoint a Chief of the Fire Department and one assistant. [GM, 6/6/81]
1881 – Newspaper notice: “The chemical fire engine has reached here and a fire company will be next in order.” [GM, 7/11/81]
Continue reading ‘Goldsboro Fire Department History’ »