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Information provided by the Chester Municipal Heritage Society
Information provided by the Chester Municipal Heritage Society
Horse and Wagon (old firetruck) with sign “pretty well dilapitated
Even in the early days residents were looking for improvements in the fire protection services they received from the Chester Volunteer Fire Department.
Even in the early days residents were looking for improvements in the fire protection services they received from the Chester Volunteer Fire Department.
In 1935, when Forman and Eva Hawboldt's house on Queen Street caught fire, there was nothing they could do but watch as it burned to the ground. The house burned for two days before it was reduced to ashes.
In 1935, when Forman and Eva Hawboldt's house on Queen Street caught fire, there was nothing they could do but watch as it burned to the ground. The house burned for two days before it was reduced to ashes.
It took a year, but on May 1, 1936 Forman and others had the Chester Volunteer Fire Department up and running. Members held their meetings on the second floor of Eugene Publicover’s store until a Fire Hall on Central Street was completed later the same year. There were twenty-seven Charter Members; Murray Mills was selected as the Department’s first Chief and Scott Rutherford served as the Deputy Chief.
It took a year, but on May 1, 1936 Forman and others had the Chester Volunteer Fire Department up and running. Members held their meetings on the second floor of Eugene Publicover’s store until a Fire Hall on Central Street was completed later the same year. There were twenty-seven Charter Members; Murray Mills was selected as the Department’s first Chief and Scott Rutherford served as the Deputy Chief.
By laws of the Chester Volunteer Fire Department, formed in 1936 by Forman Hawboldt and others following the loss of his personal home to fire a year earlier because there was no fire fighting equipment available.
This fire truck is the only unit saved in the fire of 1959 and is still used for special occasions by the department.
Ironically, the Fire Hall was destroyed by fire in 1959 and the first truck was also demolished. A new hall was built at the same location the following year.
Ironically, the Fire Hall was destroyed by fire in 1959 and the first truck was also demolished. A new hall was built at the same location the following year.
The 27 charter members dating May 1st, 1936 the date of the organization of the Chester Volunteer Fire Department
The 27 charter members dating May 1st, 1936 the date of the organization of the Chester Volunteer Fire Department
Muarry Mills
Muarry Mills
Scott Rutherford
Scott Rutherford
Murry Baker
Murry Baker
Earl Mitchell
Earl Mitchell
Bruce Hawboldt
Bruce Hawboldt
Allan Morash
Allan Morash
Edgar Meisner
Edgar Meisner
Lyttenton Boutilier
Lyttenton Boutilier
George Freda
George Freda
Robert Morash
Robert Morash
Walter Corkum
Walter Corkum
Earl Webber
Earl Webber
Harry Stevens
Harry Stevens
King Publicover
King Publicover
Cryil Houghton
Cryil Houghton
Ray Publicover
Ray Publicover
Paul Cornelius
Paul Cornelius
Joseph Heisler
Joseph Heisler
Aubrey Evans
Aubrey Evans
Clayton Evans
Clayton Evans
Earl Nauss
Earl Nauss
Chipman Smith
Chipman Smith
Ivan Smith
Ivan Smith
Charles Houghton
Charles Houghton
Theodore Hilchie
Theodore Hilchie
Maurice Zinck
Maurice Zinck
Virgil Mader Sr.
Virgil Mader Sr.
Visit the Chester Municipal Heritage Society Virtual Museum for more information on Forman Hawboldt’s many enterprises and achievements.
Visit the Chester Municipal Heritage Society Virtual Museum for more information on Forman Hawboldt’s many enterprises and achievements.
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