Brief History of the New Hope Eagle Fire Company

 

The New Hope Eagle Fire Company, the oldest in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, is believed to have begun formally on the evening of June 21st, 1822 when a meeting was held and it was resolved to form a department.  It was also decided that members should be solicited from Lambertville and the engine should be kept as near to the bridge as possible as to be accessible for both towns.  The name chosen was "Delaware Fire Company" as a building was procured to store the engine at the New Hope entrance to the bridge.  This building was rented from the Delaware Bridge Company for $1 per year

"Independence" Steamer in front of the Eagle Fire Company Bridge Street  Station, probably around 1908.

Delaware Fire Company "#2" Hand Pumper Photo by J.A. Anderson, 1909

During 1864, another hand engine was purchased from the Eagle Fire Company of Trenton and the name of "Eagle Fire Company No. 1 of New Hope" was adopted.  The top firefighting office at this time was titled the Chief Engineer and he was aided by twelve assistants.  A section of the by-laws in 1864 states that "any respectable person may become a contributing member of the company by paying one dollar annually."

Many changes have occurred over our years.  More history will be added as time allows.
For now, you can see some excerpts from the minutes of actual company meetings:
1800's      1900 to 1949      1950 to 1980

Some video of an AT&T/Bell commercial done some time in the '70s, featuring the Eagle Fire Company.  I still don't have an exact year on this one:  Large version (Broadband)   Low Res (dialup)
(Requires RealPlayer - http://www.real.com)