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UNDINE
HISTORY
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Undine
Hose was organized in August 1871, and obtained its
charter on December 9th, 1871. Daniel Hastings
(future Pennsylvania Governor) was the original president.
John G. Love (later a distinguished judge) was its first
secretary. The company immediately arranged to build
their "hose house" at the corner of Perry Alley
and
Bishop Street
, and bought their hose carriage from Neptune Hose Company
of
Philadelphia
. They also purchased a hand engine from Parson
& Son, Lock Haven, supplied with six hundred feet of
hose.
During
the 1870s, a great rivalry existed between the Logan Hose
Co and the Undine Hose Co. This resulted in quick
response, as each company would race to be
"first" on scene. Far too often, though,
the companies would swiftly arrive at a fire only to find
that the Borough water system could not provide adequate
water until they started the steam pumps at the spring,
and the water pressure built up to a point that sufficient
water could be trained on the fire. As a result,
both companies would race to a fire with a full complement
of equipment, only to stand by and watch the building burn
to the ground!
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In
1875, the company was reorganized and remained in
existence until 1885. The terrible fire that winter
destroyed their quarters on
Bishop Street
and the company again practically disbanded. By
1885, the Borough agreed to take over the maintenance of
the department and both companies were placed under direct
control of the council. The Undine Co. building,
with its engine and carriage, were sold, and the location
of the company moved to
East Logan Street
. New engines and other supplies were purchased at
this time.
This
continued again until December 1891, when a new company
was formed. In the 1890's the purchased and paid for
a large Clappe and Jones steam engine.
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A
distinguishing feature of the Undine Hose Co. was their band which was
organized in October 1894. All the musicians were firemen and
they wore the regulation company uniform, the instruments were silver
and "of the best and latest design, and their renditions are of a
high order."
The
company's 1895 equipment consisted of engine, hose carriage, hose
cart, supply of hose, gum coats and boots.
Near
the end of the nineteenth century, so many disastrous fires had
occurred in town that the council again organized the department,
creating one ahead and placing both companies under its management at
fires. In 1898 the Undine Co. purchased a lot and built a new
building on
Bishop Street
(present location). The borough assisted the Undine Co. in its
acquirement of a more modern engine.
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In
1914, with what would be considered the opening of the "motor
age", the Undine Fire Co. purchased an automobile with which to
transport its chemical apparatus and hose. By 1920 a further
reorganization was made in the following year, they were fully
motorized.
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In
1964, the Undine Fire Company fell victim to its own tragedy.
The existing fire hall at that time caught fire and was destroyed.
Despite the efforts of the firefighters, they were unable to save the
firehouse from complete destruction. The only item salvaged was
the bell from the original bell tower which now resides in front of
our current station. Pictures below capture the event.
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shortly
after the fire started in the hall |
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Smoke
was visible for miles |
Ladder
Truck swings into action |
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One
of the hottest fires ever experienced |
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smoke
& flames mushroomed
from
the towers |
Advancing
into dense smoke |
Flame
shoot from every opening |
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The
hall is doomed! |
Cooling
the ruins |
Aerial
view of the destroyed
fire
hall |
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The
Undines belong to the Bellefonte Fire Department which
consists of Undine Fire Company #2, Logan Fire Company #1,
and Bellefonte EMS #26. In 1966, the Undine Fire Company
moved in to its current headquarters. Currently, the
Undines have a full complement of apparatus to
successfully function as an Engine/Truck Company.
Bellefonte, Pennsylvania is a historic, Victorian town
which contains a number of unique fire-service challenges.
Several of Bellefonte's structures are old 19th-century
buildings which have never been retrofitted to current
fire protection standards. As a result, the Undine Fire
Company has recently battled several large blazes
including the Academy Apartment Fire and most recently,
The Bush House fire. These where both architectural
fixtures in the Bellefonte community. Despite these
challenges, the Undine Fire Company is prepared to protect
the life and property of the citizens of Bellefonte,
Pennsylvania. |
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