Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Information

Disclaimers: These cities and towns are some but not necessarily all of those that operated fire horses.

Asheville

• 1888 - One two-horse hose carriage. Two hand hose reels. One hand hook & ladder truck.
• 1891 - Four horses. Two hook & ladder trucks, one drawn by horses. One hose carriage, drawn by horses. Four hose reels.
• 1896 - Four trained horses. One hook & ladder truck, and one hose carriage, drawn by horses. Four hand hose reels.
• 1901 - Four trained horses. One hook & ladder truck, and one hose carriage, drawn by horses. Three hand hose reels.
• 1907 - Six trained horses. One hook & ladder truck, one combination hose and hook & ladder truck, one hose carriage, drawn by horses. One hand hose reel.
• 1913 - Two Seagrave chemical hose trucks. One automobile hook & ladder truck. One hose wagon drawn by horses, used only on streets where automobile trucks would be impractical.

Burlington

• 1918 - Two horses. One hose wagon, one hook & ladder wagon.

Charlotte

• 1890 - Two steam fire engines. Two hose reels drawn by horses. One hook & ladder truck. One hand engine and two hand hose reels.
• 1896 - Nine trained horses. One Clapp & Jones 1st Class steamer. One Hayes & [Harrell] 1st Class steamer. Two hand hose reels
  Two horse hose reels. One Hayes hook & ladder extensive truck.
• 1900 - Nine horses, seven on constant duty, two used on street sprinkler. All apparatus drawn by horses. Drop harness. One Clapp & Jones First Class, double-piston steam fire engine. One Patterson First Class, double-piston steam fire engine. One extension hook & ladder truck. Two hose wagons, one hose reel.
• 1905 - Ten horses, drop harness. Six horses on constant duty, two used on street sprinklers. All apparatus drawn by horses. One Clapp & Jones First Class, double-piston steam fire engine. One [American LaFrance] Metropolitan First Class, double-piston steam fire engine. One [Harrell] & Hayes First Class, double-piston steam fire engine. One combination chemical engine and hose wagon. One extension hook & ladder truck. Two four-wheeled hose wagons.
• 1911 - 13 horses, drop harness. One [American LaFrance] Metropolitan 3rd Size steam fire engine, capacity 650 gallons per minute. Two two-horse combination chemical and hose wagons (35 gallons). One two-horse combination chemical and hose wagon (40 gallons). One two-horse hose wagon (all wagons carry two, three-gallon extinguishers). One one-horse chief's buggy (one three-gallon extinguisher). One two-horse hook & ladder service truck (two three-gallon extinguishers).

Concord

• 1902 - One horse-drawn hose reel, two hand reels, one hand hook & ladder truck. Two fire companies, hose company and hook & ladder company.
• 1906 - Two horses. One hose wagon, one combination hose and chemical wagon, one hand hook & ladder truck. Two fire companies, hose company and hook & ladder company, plus Cannonville reel team.
• 1911 - Two horses. Two hose wagons, and one one-horse ladder truck. One fire company. Plus Cannonville reel team with hose cart.

Durham

• 1893 - Four horses. Two hose wagons, drawn by horses. Two hose carts. One hook & ladder cart. One double-tank chemical engine.
• 1898 - Six horses. Two hose wagons, drawn by horses. One hook & ladder truck, drawn by horses.
• 1902 - Six horses. Two two-horse hose wagons. One one-horse hose wagon. One hook & ladder truck.
• 1907 - Seven horses. One LaFrance No. 3 steam fire engine. Two two-horse hose wagons. One one-horse hose wagon in reserve. One hook & ladder truck.
• 1913 - Nine horses. One Webb combination automobile truck. One LaFrance No. 3 steam fire engine. One Metropolitan No. 2 [steam fire engine] drawn by automobile. Two two-horse hose wagons. One hook & ladder truck.

Elizabeth City

• 1914 - Seven horses used for street work, one horse in constant readiness. Hostler on constant duty. One Silsby 1st class steam fire engine. One Silsby 2nd class steam fire engine. One one-horse hose wagon. One two-horse hose wagon. One hook & ladder truck. One automobile combination chemical and hose wagon ordered.

Fayetteville

• 1908 - Two permanent horses. Two permanent drivers. One Silsby 5th class steamer. Two one-horse hose wagons. Three hand reels in reserve.
• 1914 - One permanent horse. One driver and one chauffer fully paid. Two horses used for [street] sprinkler are used for hook & ladder truck. One Seagrave combination chemical and hose truck. One Silsby 5th class steam engine. Two one-horse hose wagons. One horse-drawn hook & ladder truck. One hose reel. Two fire companies.

Goldsboro

• 1896 - One Silsby steamer. One chemical engine. Two hose wagons, drawn by horses. Engineer and drivers paid. Two hand hose reels.
• 1901 - Three horses, which are on street duty during the day. One Silsby steam engine, two hose wagons, one hook & ladder truck, all drawn by horses. Engineer and three drivers paid. Drivers sleep at hose houses. [Department] to have one horse on constant duty. Two hand reels.
• 1908 - Four horses on street duty. One horse constantly at station. One Silsby steam fire engine. Three one-horse hose wagons. One hook & ladder truck. Three paid drivers on street duty during the day. One paid driver on constant duty at station.
• 1913 - Four horses, [which] do street work. One horse constantly at station. One Silsby 3rd class steam fire engine. Three one-horse hose wagons. One hook & ladder truck. One hand reel at Webtown station. Four paid drivers who work on streets during the day. One fully paid driver on constant duty.
• 1918 - One American LaFrance combination auto. One Silsby 3rd size steam fire engine, towed by auto. One two-horse hook & ladder truck. Two hose wagons, including one one-horse wagon.

Graham

• 1910 - Horses owned by private parties. One two-horse hose wagon. One one-horse hose wagon. Two hand reels.

Greensboro

• 1902 - Ten trained horses on constant duty, drop harness to all apparatus. One two-horse LaFrance steamer. One two-horse aerial hook & ladder truck. Three two-horse hose wagons. City owns hose, steamer, and hook & ladder truck. All other apparatus including horses owned by the respective companies.
• 1907 - Nine trained horses, automatic drop harness. Two LaFrance steam fire engines, 500 gallons per minute. One two-horse combination chemical and hose wagon. One aerial hook & ladder truck. One one-horse and two two-horse hose wagons.
• 1919 - Four trained horses.  Three American LaFrance triple combination motor engines. One White triple combination motor engine. Two LaFrance steamers in reserve. One aerial hook & ladder truck.

Greenville

• 1900 - One LaFrance No. 5 steam fire engine. Two horses and paid driver for steamer. One hose wagon, drawn by hand. One hook & ladder truck, drawn by hand. One Howe combination chemical and water hand engine, drawn by hand.
• 1905 - One LaFrance No. 5 steam fire engine. Two horses and paid driver for steamer. One hose wagon. One hook & ladder truck. One Howe combination chemical and water hand engine.
• 1911 - Six horses. One American LaFrance automobile truck. One horse-drawn hose wagon. One hook & ladder truck. One LaFrance steam fire engine, 500 gallons per minute.

Henderson

• 1912 - Horses used for fire purposes exclusively. One two-horse combination hose and chemical wagon. One hook & ladder truck.
• 1917 - One American LaFrance triple combination automobile truck. One one-horse hose wagon.

Hickory

• 1907 - Two trained horses on constant duty. Patent drop harness. One two-horse wagon. One hand reel.
• 1913 - Two horses. Patent drop harnesses. One two-horse hose wagon. One race wagon.

High Point

• 1906 - Two horses. Two one-horse hose wagons. One hose reel.
• 1911 - Three one-horse wagons.
• 1917 - One horse. One automobile hose wagon. One chemical truck. Two hose-drawn wagons.

Kinston

• 1901 - One Silsby steamer, drawn by horses. One hose wagon, drawn by horses. One hose wagon, drawn by hand. One hook & ladder truck, drawn by hand.
• 1908 - Two horses used for street work in business section only. One Silsby steam fire engine. One hose wagon. One hook & ladder truck.
• 1914 - Three horses. One Silsby steam fire engine. One hose wagon. One hook & ladder truck. One hose reel at East Kinston Hose Reel Company. Station to have one horse and one hose wagon.

Lexington

• 1913 - Two horses. Two one-horse hose wagons. One one-horse hook & ladder truck.

Monroe

• 1908 - One permanent horse. One hose wagon. One hand hook & ladder truck. One Silsby steamer in reserve.
• 1914 - Two horses used for fire only. One two-horse hose wagon. One hand hook & ladder truck. One Silsby steamer and four hose reels, each in reserve.

Morehead City

• 1913 - One horse, working on streets during the day. One paid driver. One hose wagon. One hand reel. One Howe gasoline fire engine.

Morganton

• 1910 - One horse. One one-horse hose wagon. One one-horse hook & ladder truck. One hand hose reel.

Mt. Olive

• 1912 - One gasoline-driven engine of 40 HP, can also be used as hand engine, this drawn by horses. One hand hose reel.

New Bern

• 1888 - Six horses. One Silsby steam engine, one Button steam engine, both have patent drop harness and can get up steam in 2 1/3 to 3 minutes. Two hose carriages, two hook & ladder trucks, two independent hose carts. Three men and three horses on duty at each engine house.
• 1893 - Six horses. One Silsby steam engine, one Button steam engine. Pat. drop harness. Can get up steam in 2 1/2 or 3 minutes. Two hose carriages, two hook & ladder trucks, two independent hose carts. Three men and three horses on duty at each engine house all night.
• 1898 - Three horses on duty at engine house. Pat. drop harness. One Silsby steam engine, one Button steam engine, two hose carriages, six hand reels.
• 1904 - Three horses always on duty. Two steam fire engines, horses for same working on streets. Two supply [hose] wagons. One hook & ladder truck. One hand reel.
• 1908 - Central Station. Six trained horses used also for street work. One Silsby steam fire engine. One button steam fire engine. Two hose wagons. One hook & ladder truck. George Street Station. One trained horse. One hose wagon. One hand reel.
• 1913 - Four companies, four stations. All horses used for street work.
  • New Bern No. 1 - Three horses, alternates between this and Atlantic fire station. One Button steam fire engine. One hose wagon. One hook & ladder truck.
  • Atlantic - One horse, alternates with New Bern No. 1. One Silsby steam fire engine. One hose wagon.
  • 4th Ward - One horse. One hose wagon.
  • Riverside - One horse. One hose wagon.

Raleigh

• 1896 - Three horses used by city during the day. Two two- horse hose wagons. One two-horse hose reel. One two-horse hook & ladder. One Gould steam fire engine in reserve.
• 1903 - Eight horses. Three two-horse hose wagons. One two-horse hook & ladder truck. One Gould steam fire engine in reserve.
• 1909 - Eight horses. Third class Metropolitan steam fire engine. Three hose wagons. Hook and ladder truck.
• 1914 - Four horses. Two American LaFrance automobile combination chemical and hose wagons. One Metropolitan 3rd class steam fire engine, drawn by automobile. Two hose wagons drawn by horses. One city service truck. One American LaFrance gasoline pumping engine has been ordered and will soon be in service.

Reidsville

• 1901 - One Silsby rotary steamer (auxiliary). One hose wagon, drawn by horse. One hook & ladder truck. Three hand reels. Horse used for street work part of time.
• 1908 - One Silsby 2nd class steam fire engine, one hose wagon, two hose reels. Hose wagon drawn by horse. Horse used in summer on watering cart.
• 1914 - One Silsby 2nd class steam fire engine. One one-horse hose wagon. Two two-wheel hose carts. One hook & ladder truck.

Rocky  Mount

• 1901 - Two horses at city stables that work on streets during day. City stable at engine house. One Silsby 2nd class rotary steamer, drawn by horses. One hook & ladder truck, and two hose carts drawn by hand.
• 1907 - Two horses kept in Fire Station 1, horses worked on streets. One Silsby 4th class rotary steamer. Two one-horse hose wagons. One hand hook & ladder truck.
• 1912 - Two horses at Central Station, used by fire department only. One Silsby steam fire engine, drawn by mules. Two hose wagons. Two hose carts, one at North Rocky Mount and one at Gibson Hill.

Salisbury

• 1902 - Two horses for fire duty only, kept in livery stable, two squares from town hall. To have stable arranged at town hall for horses. One one-horse hose wagon, new. One one-horse hook & ladder truck, new. Four hand hose reels.
• 1907 - Four trained horses on constant duty. One one-horse hose wagon, one two-horse hose wagon, one one-horse hook & ladder truck. Four hand hose reels.
• 1913 - Two horses kept at fire station during the day and four at night. No drop harness. One combination hose, chemical, and ladder automobile truck. One American LaFrance 2nd class steam fire engine, driven by two horses. One two-horse hose wagon. One two-horse hook & ladder truck.

Sanford

• 1908 - Two horses. One hose cart.
• 1915 - Two horses. Two hose wagons, one reserve.

Spencer

• 1913 - One one-horse hose wagon. Two two-wheel hose reels. Horse kept in livery stable.

Statesville

• 1905 - Four hose reels, and one four-wheeled hose cart, drawn by horses which are stationed at main hose house on Center Street.
• 1911 - One two-horse hose wagon. One two-horse service truck. Horses are used exclusively by the fire department.
• 1918 - One White combination chemical and hose wagon. One Kissel combination chemical and hose wagon. One hook & ladder truck as trailer to automobiles. One chief's automobile. One hose cart drawn by horses [in reserve?].

Tarboro

• 1908 - One hose wagon drawn by one trained horse. Three hose carts drawn by hand.
• 1913 - One [American] LaFrance combination chemical and hose wagon. One horse-drawn hose wagon. One hand-drawn ladder truck. Three hose reels.

Washington

• 1901 - Three horses. One Silsby first-class steam fire engine, being rebuilt. One one-horse hose wagon. Two large hand engines. One small hand engines. Four hand hose carts. One hand hook & ladder truck, Hayes extension.
• 1904 - Three horses, working on streets during the day. One Silsby steam fire engine. Two large hand engines. One small hand engine. Five two-wheel hose carts. One supply wagon. One hook & ladder truck.
• 1911 - One two-horse hose wagon. Four hand hose carts. One hand hook & ladder truck.
• 1916 - Five horses. One automobile truck. One automobile hose wagon. One Silsby 3rd class steamer. Two hose wagons. Two hose reels. One hook & ladder truck.

Wilmington

• 1884 - Three second-class steamers. One hook & ladder truck (horses). Two hook & ladder & bucket companies combined (by hand). One independent hose company.
• 1889 - Three second-class steamers. One hook & ladder truck. Two independent hose carts.
• 1893 - 14 horses. Three second-class steamers. Three hook & ladder trucks. Two independent hose carts.
• 1898 - 13 horses. Three steam fire engines (One Silsby No. 4 and one Silsby No. 3 in active service, one Button in reserve). One double-tank chemical engine (Babcock). One hook & ladder truck with Rumsey extension ladder. Two two-horse and one one-horse hose wagons. Two one-horse hose reels, one in reserve.
• 1904 - 13 horses. Three steam fire engines (One Silsby No. 4 and one Silsby No. 3 in active service, one Button in reserve). One double-tank chemical engine (Babcock). One hook & ladder truck with Rumsey extension ladder. Three two-horse hose wagons.
• 1910 - 14 trained horses. One Nott first-size steam fire engine. One Silsby fourth-size steam fire engine. One Button third-size steam fire engine. The latter two rebuilt with Nott boiler. One hook & ladder truck. One chemical engine. One combination wagon. Three hose wagons. One chief's buggy. Fire boat Atlantic.
• 1915 - Seven horses. One Knott first class, one Button third class, and one Silsby third class team fire engines. Two combination chemical and hose wagons. One two-horse combination wagon. One two-horse hose wagon. One chemical wagon and two hose wagons in reserve. Fire boat.

Wilson

• 1908 - Two horses. One Silsby steam fire engine. One one-horse hose wagon. One hook & ladder truck. Two hose carts.
• 1913 - Three horses. One Silsby 3rd class steam fire engine. One one-horse hose cart. One hook & ladder truck. All drawn by horses. One hand reel. Two fully paid drivers.

Winston-Salem

• 1900
  • Winston
    • Five horses on constant [duty], [with] drop harness. Four horses used on streets, available for fire service. One LaFrance, 3rd class, double-piston steam fire engine. One LaFrance 3rd class rotary steam fire engine. Two Hayes hook & ladder trucks. Two hose wagons. Two auxiliary hand reels.
  • Salem
    • Four horses owned and used by Arista Cotton Mills are available for fire service. One Button 5th class single-piston steam fire engine. One two-horse hose wagon. One one-horse hose cart.
• 1907
  • Winston
    • Three horses on contact duty, with drop harness. Five horses owned and used for street work available for fire service. One LaFrance 3rd size double-piston steam fire engine. One LaFrance 3rd class rotary steam fire engine. One LaFrance 3rd class steam fire engine in reserve. One aerial hook & ladder truck. One hand hook & ladder truck. Two hose wagons. Two hose reels.
  • Salem
    • Two horses owned by the city and used for street work available for fire service. One LaFrance 4th size steam fire engine. One Button steam fire engine in reserve. One hose wagon. One hose reel.
• 1912
  • Winston
    • Five trained horses, seven others used on street work. Two LaFrance 3rd class team fire engines. Four hose wagons. Two hook & ladder trucks. Five paid drivers on constant duty.
  • Salem
    • One LaFrance 4th class fire steam engine. One Button steam fire engine. Two hose wagons, and two hose carts.
• 1917
  • Six horses at fire stations and four horses on call. Two American LaFrance triple-combination automobile trucks. One chief's automobile. One LaFrance 3rd class steam fire engine, 500 gallons per minute. Three hose wagons. One [horse-drawn] 65-foot aerial hook & ladder truck.

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