Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department, INC.

History

"The history of the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department are the combined work of meeting minutes, historical documents and the memories of our members past and present."

On the fourth of July 1934 there were some delayed fireworks. Mr. Albert Burroughs was closing his restaurant about 2:30 a.m. when he noted a lone man leaving Trice’s Store next door, carrying an armful of clothes. Burroughs called for him to stop but he dropped the clothing and ran. Then Burroughs went to Mr. Trice’s home, two doors away to advise him of the robbery. When the two returned and opened the store, flames were leaping inside. Mechanicsville had no fire department and assistance was sought from Leonardtown, La Plata and Upper Marlboro fire companies.

The fire spread rapidly to the James Herbert building which housed the post office, a filling station and a lunchroom. A warehouse used by Trice to store vehicles and farm supplies was consumed as well as a garage on the adjacent Guyther property. A large tree between the stores and the Guyther home saved the house as fireman sprayed it with the little water available.

It was a time of high excitement. The ruins smoldered for several days and the charred remnants of the buildings reminded the residents of Mechanicsville that it was time to start a fire department of their own.

The Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Company came into existence on Sunday, November 18, 1934, at two o'clock on the porch of All Faiths Parish Hall. Forty citizens gathered to discuss ways and means of obtaining fire protection for the village of Mechanicsville. During this gathering Bernard Burch was elected chairman, Richard H. Southorn was elected treasurer, and Henry J. Fowler, Sr. was elected secretary. An advisory committee was appointed consisting of Lawrence L. Parlett, A.E. Meredith, Elmer Jenkins, and Roy Guyther. Thomas Fowler and Manning Adams were appointed to solicit donations.