The History of The Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department, INC

The 1930's

1934

• Following the elections, Discussion focused on locating a suitable location for the construction of a dam to hold water for fire protection. Cost estimations were prepared for the laying of pipeline to the center of the village. Through different townspeople, Lula Adams, Bernard Burch, and Edward Merdith, offered their swamps to build the dam. At the same time donations were still being solicited from the community.
• At the next meeting on November 23, 1934, the solicitation committee had received pledges nearly totaling $400.00. The swamp located on Edward Merdith's property was selected as the site for the dam.

1935

• Plans for the dam were presented to the Maryland Emergency Relief Administration. After much negotiation, they agreed to furnish all labor for construction, if the fire company would defray the cost of building materials. Construction began on January 8, 1935. This was the first step toward fire protection in the village.
• During the construction of the dam, meetings were held to discuss the possibility of buying 4" pipeline and laying it through the village. At the May 8, 1935, meeting, President Burch advised the committee members he had obtained 1200 feet of 4" pipe. The pipe was second hand and was a gift to the fire company. At this meeting twelve men were selected to form the volunteer fire department. The fire company had been responsible for locating water resources and providing financial backing.
• On May 27, 1935, the young men selected for the fire department to hold their first meeting. They met at Leon Hill's to draw up a set of by-laws. A total of sixteen men were to make up the department with Manning Adams serving as the first chief.
• At the June 10, 1935 meeting the by-laws, which had been drawn up at the first meeting, were passed.
• After the final receipts were turned in from the crab feast (fund raiser) the department had a total of $19.11 profit. It was decided that we could finally purchase the buckets, axes, rope and a ladder that were essential necessities (August 19, 1935).
• In November of 1935 the first pieces of equipment were purchased. Twelve buckets, two axes, a forty-foot ladder, and twelve badges helped to form the "Bucket Brigade." Though they did not yet own a motorized fire engine, Mechanicsville was officially recognized in St. Mary's County as Company 2. They trained and fought fires with the only other departments in the area, Leonardtown and LaPlata.
• During the meeting on June 24, 1935 the department discussed and decided that each member would have to buy the badges for the department.
• Mr. Manning Adams served as chief for three months and resigned for business reasons. Assistant chief Holmes Fowler carried on until Mr. James Mattingly was duly elected chief on July 22, 1935.
• Discussion of car plates with the company name inscribed on them was presented and tabled until the next meeting (July 8, 1935).
• The discussion of returning the $1.10 fee was finally decided on. It was returned and the badges were to belong to the department (August 5, 1935).

1936

• According to early company minutes, a fire occurred at the home of August Stasch between February 4-9, 1936. The "Bucket Brigade" had the fire under control by the time Leonardtown VFD arrived. Thus, they were credited with their first "save." Later in 1936, the pipeline throughout the village was completed with three outlets.
• A donated water tower was disassembled and resurrected to serve as a siren tower.
• Used siren purchased from Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department (1936).

1937

• On January 11, 1937 the first meeting of the New Year was called to order by Chief Bennett and elections were immediately held. Officers elected were as follows;

• On April 12, 1937 Mr. Bernard Burch was elected to be the first president of the department (April 1937).
• May 23, 1937 was the date the first engine arrived. A 1926 American LaFrance chain driven was purchased from the Mt. Rainier VFD in Prince George's County, MD. The 500-gpm pumper cost a sum of $600.00. Named "Old Betsy" by the members, it was housed in the Midway Garage owned by Lula Adams until a more suitable location could be found. Mr. Clifford Jones a member of the department was soon overcome by generosity, and gave us permission to use his garage which would be done until a permanent station could be built since there was no firehouse.
• The first drivers selected were Maddox Burroughs, Clifford Jones and Culbert Peverly (June 1937).
• The first fire "Old Betsy" responded to was a chimney fire at the Smoot residence in Charlotte Hall, MD.

• The Tournaments have been the most successful means of raising money for the department and thanks to Messers Franklin Adams and Ford Ferral for the use of the land upon which they were held.
• On June 21, 1937 the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Company and the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department were incorporated with the following gentlemen serving on the board of directors; Messers Bernard Burch, Richard Sothoron, Edward Merdith, John Fowler, L.L. Parlett, Robert Burroughs, Elmer Jenkins, Roy Guyther and Henry Fowler. This would be the last time the two organizations met separately. The fire Company had been responsible for funds and water access, while the Fire Department was responsible for the actual fire suppressions. Now the fire company and the fire department were joined as one.
• Since the purchase of “Betsy” earlier in 1937 our first fire engine has answered forty-seven calls.
• It was reported at the November 1 meeting that the department had answered a fire call on the premises of Mrs. Estep near Hughesville and also a chimney fire at the home of Mr. Charles P. Herbert since the last meeting (November 1937).
• On November 8, 1937, a contract was entered into with the Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone Company to provide a fire alarm and have the telephone switchboard operator sound the alarm when a fire was reported. This system cost the fire department $1.50 a month.
• The department sponsored its first Jousting Tournament in September 1937 it was held on the Jarboe Farm off of what is now known as Mechanicsville Road (M&G).

1938

• In late 1938, members started pondering the idea of a firehouse; both to house the engine and to meet with privacy. For three months sites were inspected for a suitable location. Finally, land was purchased from Mr. and Mrs. James W. Herbert at the corner of All Faith Road and the road from “DC to Leonardtown” (now Mechanicsville Road and Old Village Road).
• At the meeting on March 7, 1938 a fund of $60 was approved for the purchase of tools and raincoats. On April 4, 1938 the raincoats were ordered from Montgomery Ward.
• Holmes Fowler, James Reintzall, Benjamin Burroughs and William Mattingly were awarded the honor of bringing the fire engine into the new firehouse because they were the last original members.

1939

• At the meeting on the evening of February 7,1939 President Fowler reported to the membership that lot for the firehouse could be secured from Mr. J. W. Herbert, the bank loan had been approved and the board of directors had approved the building (February 1939).
• On March 29, 1939 the footings were dug by John Grabis and the first block was laid in April. John Grabis completed our “Dream Castle” on May 11, 1939. On the afternoon of May 28, 1939, townspeople from Mechanicsville and surrounding communities attended the grand dedication ceremony. Total cost of construction for the new quarters was $1,844.00.
• Dedication of the firehouse was Sunday May 28, 1939 at 3:00 p.m.

• Meeting November 6, 1939 an order was placed for six helmets at a cost of $8.50 each.