1909-2009: Happy 100th Birthday, Hamilton Volunteer Fire Co.!

A week or so ago, Joe Whartenby, Jimmy Cope, and Bob Wiles from the Hamilton Volunteer Fire Company visited my archives workshop at the Hamilton Library. It was at this meeting that I decided to form a website dedicated to the Bromley section of Hamilton (http://www.tomgloversbromley.blogspot.com/.)
The fact that I have numerous files in both the "BROMLEY" and "HAMILTON FIRE CO." folders seems to be a good time start the website to coincide with Hamilton VFD's centennial. One hundred years! They must be doing something right. As a resident of Bromley for nearly half the time Hamilton has been in existance, I find the history of this veteran fire company to be very interesting.

1959: HAMILTON VFD: FROM THE 85TH ANNIVERSARY PROGRAM

A week or so ago, Joe Whartenby, Jimmy Cope, and Bob Wiles of the Hamilton Volunteer Fire Company visited my archives workshop at the Hamilton Library. It was at this meeting that I decided to form this website. The fact that I have numerous files in both the "BROMLEY" and "HAMILTON FIRE CO." folders

seems to be a good time start the website to coincide with Hamilton VFD's centennial. One hundred years! They must be doing something right. As a resident of Bromley for nearly half the time Hamilton has been in existance, I find the history of this veteran fire company to be very interesting.

2009: CHECK OUT "TOM GLOVER'S BROMLEY"

I have instituted a new website centered around the centennial celebration of the Hamilton Volunteer Fire Company. The history of the company goes hand in hand with the development of the Bromley area which was also evolving into a viable suburban community in the early part of the 20th century. There will be historic posts on both Bromley and the Hamilton Volunteer Fire Company.

Check out
www.tomgloversbromley.blogspot.com

1914: HAMILTON VFD FIREHOUSE MASQUERADE

Community, community, community: Beside protecting us from fire, our local volunteer firemen also serve their community in many ways. Here's an interesting vignette of events surrounding a masquerade party held at the firehouse back in 1914.

1988: HAMILTON VFD OFFICERS

These are the guys who cover my area of Bromley. They are a distance from my Atlantic Avenue home, but in the 47 years I have lived here, their responses are always lightning fast.

1916: "BROMLEY FIRE CO." (HAMILTON VFD)

It is really interesting to read very early articles the many fire departments in the Mercer area. I recently uncovered these two articles from 1916, and the following post from 1922 as they relate to our Hamilton Volunteer Fire Company. There is also an article on Trenton's Engine 9 locating on Brunswick Avenue and Pine Street which will be posted today.

1922: Hamilton Fire Company's new Seagrave Pumper

Here's another Hamilton Fire Company graphic from the early years of Bromley.

1935: Fire at Hamilton's Pocono Rubber Factory

I must admit that in all of my many years of researching local history, I had never heard of the Pocono Rubber Company. I will see if I can find a reference to it in one of my Trenton City Directories. The Boys at Hamilton Fire Company along with Enterprise battled the fire for over six hours. I note that among the injured in the fire was Walter Guy. I'm sure he is related to Dick Guy, "little brother" of my long time friend in the ball and roller bearing business, Bill Guy.

It is sheer speculation on my part, but I would bet that the Pocono Rubber Company was located on the same spot as the Nearpara Rubber Company.

1988: HAMILTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT.

AS WITH THE GIL LUGOSSY GRAPHIC ELSEWHERE ON THIS SITE, "OLD FRIENDS ARE THE BEST FRIENDS." HERE'S A PHOTO OF THE HAMILTON FIRE GUYS PROUDLY POSING IN FRONT OF THEIR STATION WITH ANOTHER OLD FRIEND, THEN-CHIEF FRED YAEDE AND HIS STAFF CAR.

1978: REMEBERING THE 70'S

REMEMBER THOSE LEISURE SUITS AND SIDEBURNS? EGAD IN RETROSPECT THE 70'S ERA WAS A TIME OF HORRIBLE SARTORIAL TASTE! I STILL REMEMBER THAT POLYESTER FOREST GREEN LEISURE SUIT WITH LIGHTER GREEN STITCHING THAT I WORE BACK IN THE 70'S, AND ALSO THOSE SHOES WITH HIGHER THAN NORMAL HEELS. CHECK OUT YOUNG CAPTAIN FRED YAEDE IN THERE, LOOKING QUITE HANDSOME IN HIS THEN-FASHIONABLE OPEN SHIRT WITH THOSE VERY LENGTHY LAPELS.

1909: In the Beginning: Hamilton Volunteer Fire Co.

In the year 2009, Hamilton Township's venerable old Hamilton Volunteer Fire Company will celebrate 100 years of selfless service to the citizens of Bromley and the surrounding areas of Hamilton Township.

WWII: Hamilton Volunteer Fire Dept.

Thanks to Mr. Jim Colello, Broad Street Park-Rusling Hose Co. fellow historian, this exquisite photo of Bromley's Hamilton Fire laddies is being brought to interested viewers. Any viewers who can identify those gentlemen are asked to contact me at thomglo@verizon.net. I am working a a "cut and paste" enlargement so the image of the men in the photo can be enlarged.