At the core of any fire company is the apparatus used to fight fires and protect lives. This was particularly true of for the volunteer fire fighters in 19th century America. Often purchased with their own funds, their fire engines were the focus of their pride and affection, as well as their identities as fire fighters. Engine plates, often made of brass, would be prominently affixed to engines and inscribed with the company name, number, and founding date. Engine plates could pass from old engine to new, or be kept in the firehouse as a memorial to a departed apparatus.
This number “6” is cut from a tin and has a brass wash. It has seven holes that allowed for attachment. This number plate is believed to be from the "Big Six" engine of the Americus Fire Company No. 6 of New York City.
At the core of any fire company is the apparatus used to fight fires and protect lives. This was particularly true of for the volunteer fire fighters in 19th century America. Often purchased with their own funds, their fire engines were the focus of their pride and affection, as well as their identities as fire fighters. Engine plates, often made of brass, would be prominently affixed to engines and inscribed with the company name, number, and founding date. Engine plates could pass from old engine to new, or be kept in the firehouse as a memorial to a departed apparatus.
This nickel-plated brass engine plate has “AMERICAN” and the number “5” engraved into the face that is filled with black enamel. There are small incised lines curving around the “5” and above “American.” There are holes at the top and corners of the plate, which allowed the plate to be attached to the engine. This engine plate may have adorned the engine of the American Fire Engine and Hose Company No. 5 of Lancaster, Pennsylvania during the late 19th century.
At the core of any fire company is the apparatus used to fight fires and protect lives. This was particularly true of for the volunteer fire fighters in 19th century America. Often purchased with their own funds, their fire engines were the focus of their pride and affection, as well as their identities as fire fighters. Engine plates, often made of brass, would be prominently affixed to engines and inscribed with the company name, number, and founding date. Engine plates could pass from old engine to new, or be kept in the firehouse as a memorial to a departed apparatus.
This trapezoidal metal engine plate of the Eagle Hook and Ladder Company bears a central image of a crossed fireman’s hook and ladder behind the number “1” and is surrounded by the text “EAGLE/ORGANIZED 1838.” The plate was made for the Eagle Hook and Ladder Company in 1850, and has holes in each corner showing where it was previously attached to an engine.
At the core of any fire company is the apparatus used to fight fires and protect lives. This was particularly true of for the volunteer fire fighters in 19th century America. Often purchased with their own funds, their fire engines were the focus of their pride and affection, as well as their identities as fire fighters. Engine plates, often made of brass, would be prominently affixed to engines and inscribed with the company name, number, and founding date. Engine plates could pass from old engine to new, or be kept in the firehouse as a memorial to a departed apparatus.
The brass engine plate was used by the Hibernia Fire Engine Company No. 1 of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on their Reaney & Neafie steam engine built in 1858. This rectangular plate has the text “HIBERNIA / No. 1” engraved in wide shaded calligraphic letters. The sides of the plate have holes showing where the plate would have been attached to the engine. The Hibernia Fire Engine Company No. 1 was organized in 1752 and operated as a hand engine company until it acquired a steam fire engine in 1858. It operated as a steam fire engine company until 1871 when Philadelphia’s paid firefighting department was established. It was Philadelphia’s largest and oldest companies, and used several different engines and apparatus during its history.
This cross-shaped emblem has a central hole with a rim surrounded by a hose. Various fire fighting instruments are depicted around the hole including a hook and ladder, axe, speaking trumpet, and fire hat. This was not an engine plate, but rather could have been part of a memorial or commemorative display with a photograph in the center hole.
At the core of any fire company is the apparatus used to fight fires and protect lives. This was particularly true of for the volunteer fire fighters in 19th century America. Often purchased with their own funds, their fire engines were the focus of their pride and affection, as well as their identities as fire fighters. Engine plates, often made of brass, would be prominently affixed to engines and inscribed with the company name, number, and founding date. Engine plates could pass from old engine to new, or be kept in the firehouse as a memorial to a departed apparatus.
This brass engine plate was attached to a fire engine made by Stephen Thayer from Boston, Massachusetts. Thayer operated his business from 1811 to 1861 producing a variety of fire engines and other machine parts. The brass plate is engraved with the text “Stephen Thayer/Maker/Boston, Mass./1838.” The plate has been mounted on a rectangular wooden board with four screws in the plate’s scalloped corners.
At the core of any fire company is the apparatus used to fight fires and protect lives. This was particularly true of for the volunteer fire fighters in 19th century America. Often purchased with their own funds, their fire engines were the focus of their pride and affection, as well as their identities as fire fighters. Engine plates, often made of brass, would be prominently affixed to engines and inscribed with the company name, number, and founding date. Engine plates could pass from old engine to new, or be kept in the firehouse as a memorial to a departed apparatus.
This metal plate was in use by the Phoenix Fire Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phoenix Fire Company was located on St. James Street in Philadelphia and operated from 1808 until 1821. The oval metal plate bears a central hand-painted image of a spread-winged phoenix rising from a fire. The mythical bird is flanked by red banners bearing the name "PHOENIX."
At the core of any fire company is the apparatus used to fight fires and protect lives. This was particularly true of for the volunteer fire fighters in 19th century America. Often purchased with their own funds, their fire engines were the focus of their pride and affection, as well as their identities as fire fighters. Engine plates, often made of brass, would be prominently affixed to engines and inscribed with the company name, number, and founding date. Engine plates could pass from old engine to new, or be kept in the firehouse as a memorial to a departed apparatus.
This fire engine plate may have been used by the Liberty Bucket Company, founded in 1818 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The plate consists of an arched banner that that has a red background and raised silver lettering on both sides that reads “LIBERTY ONE.” The plate has brackets on both ends that were used to mount the plate on an engine.
At the core of any fire company is the apparatus used to fight fires and protect lives. This was particularly true of for the volunteer fire fighters in 19th century America. Often purchased with their own funds, their fire engines were the focus of their pride and affection, as well as their identities as fire fighters. Engine plates, often made of brass, would be prominently affixed to engines and inscribed with the company name, number, and founding date. Engine plates could pass from old engine to new, or be kept in the firehouse as a memorial to a departed apparatus.
This metal plate was used by the Phoenix Fire Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during the early 19th century. The Phoenix Fire Company was located on St. James Street in Philadelphia and operated from 1808 until 1821. The arched metal plate is engraved and filled with black enamel with the word “PHŒNIX” written in a shadowed font. Stylized sun designs surround the holes at either end of the plate.
At the core of any fire company is the apparatus used to fight fires and protect lives. This was particularly true of for the volunteer fire fighters in 19th century America. Often purchased with their own funds, their fire engines were the focus of their pride and affection, as well as their identities as fire fighters. Engine plates, often made of brass, would be prominently affixed to engines and inscribed with the company name, number, and founding date. Engine plates could pass from old engine to new, or be kept in the firehouse as a memorial to a departed apparatus.
This shield-shaped brass engine plate was used by the Northern Liberty Fire Company No. 1 of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that was founded in 1756 and operated until 1871 when Philadelphia’s paid firefighting department was established. The number “1” refers to the fact that it was the first engine company organized in the incorporated district of Northern Liberties, which was consolidated into Philadelphia in 1854. The plate is mounted onto a larger wooden shield. Engraved on the shield is “NORTHERN LIBERTY / No 1 / FIRE Co.” There is a hole at the top of the shield for mounting.
At the core of any fire company is the apparatus used to fight fires and protect lives. This was particularly true of for the volunteer fire fighters in 19th century America. Often purchased with their own funds, their fire engines were the focus of their pride and affection, as well as their identities as fire fighters. Engine plates, often made of brass, would be prominently affixed to engines and inscribed with the company name, number, and founding date. Engine plates could pass from old engine to new, or be kept in the firehouse as a memorial to a departed apparatus.
This brass maker’s plate was originally attached to a fire engine built by Hunneman & Company of Boston, Massachusetts in 1872. The scalloped shield-shaped plate bears the inscribed text “No. 722/HUNNEMAN & CO./Builders/BOSTON/1872.” A plate has been attached over “Boston” that reads “State of / Massachusetts / 612.” The entire plate has been mounted onto a square wooden board. Hunneman & Company was originally founded in Boston in 1792 and was renowned for its hand-pumped apparatus. In 1866, the company built its first steam engine and continued to make a variety of fire engines until 1883.
At the core of any fire company is the apparatus used to fight fires and protect lives. This was particularly true of for the volunteer fire fighters in 19th century America. Often purchased with their own funds, their fire engines were the focus of their pride and affection, as well as their identities as fire fighters. Engine plates, often made of brass, would be prominently affixed to engines and inscribed with the company name, number, and founding date. Engine plates could pass from old engine to new, or be kept in the firehouse as a memorial to a departed apparatus.
This metal shield-shaped engine plate bears a central fancy engraving of the number “1” with a flowing banner above it that reads “L.F.D.” The engraved designs are filled in with black. The shield has four holes that were used to attach it to the engine.
At the core of any fire company is the apparatus used to fight fires and protect lives. This was particularly true of for the volunteer fire fighters in 19th century America. Often purchased with their own funds, their fire engines were the focus of their pride and affection, as well as their identities as fire fighters. Engine plates, often made of brass, would be prominently affixed to engines and inscribed with the company name, number, and founding date. Engine plates could pass from old engine to new, or be kept in the firehouse as a memorial to a departed apparatus.
This metal plate was used by the Columbia Hose Company No. 8 of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in1806, the company operated until 1871 when Philadelphia’s paid firefighting department was established. This rectangular plate with scalloped corners bears the text “COLUMBIA” in black block shadowed letters. The initials “R A” are inscribed in script below “Columbia.” The sides of the plate have holes with bolts in them, showing where the plate would be attached to the engine.
At the core of any fire company is the apparatus used to fight fires and protect lives. This was particularly true of for the volunteer fire fighters in 19th century America. Often purchased with their own funds, their fire engines were the focus of their pride and affection, as well as their identities as fire fighters. Engine plates, often made of brass, would be prominently affixed to engines and inscribed with the company name, number, and founding date. Engine plates could pass from old engine to new, or be kept in the firehouse as a memorial to a departed apparatus.
This brass maker’s plate was attached to a handtub fire engine made by Howard and Davis of Boston, Massachusetts around 1852. The company was primarily known for manufacturing clocks, but also made fire engines from 1842 to 1857.The rectangular brass plate is engraved with the text “HOWARD & DAVIS/BOSTON/1852” which is mounted on a wooden plaque. The lower right corner of the plate has been chipped off.
At the core of any fire company is the apparatus used to fight fires and protect lives. This was particularly true of for the volunteer fire fighters in 19th century America. Often purchased with their own funds, their fire engines were the focus of their pride and affection, as well as their identities as fire fighters. Engine plates, often made of brass, would be prominently affixed to engines and inscribed with the company name, number, and founding date. Engine plates could pass from old engine to new, or be kept in the firehouse as a memorial to a departed apparatus.
This engine plate likely belonged to the Good Will Hose Company No. 25 of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that was founded on March 1, 1834. The company operated as a hose company until 1859 when it acquired a steam fire engine. It served as a hose and steam fire engine company until 1871 when Philadelphia’s paid firefighting department was established. The plate has raised lettering with gold coloring that reads “GOODWILL HOSE” over a red background. The back of the plate has two bolts and nuts that allowed it to be attached to the engine.
At the core of any fire company is the apparatus used to fight fires and protect lives. This was particularly true of for the volunteer fire fighters in 19th century America. Often purchased with their own funds, their fire engines were the focus of their pride and affection, as well as their identities as fire fighters. Engine plates, often made of brass, would be prominently affixed to engines and inscribed with the company name, number, and founding date. Engine plates could pass from old engine to new, or be kept in the firehouse as a memorial to a departed apparatus.
This curved metal engine plate was used by the Liberty Hook and Ladder Company Number 16 of New York City during the early middle of the 19th century. Liberty No. 16 was founded in 1840 and located at the corner of Lexington and Fiftieth Street. The curved plate has diamond accents on the top with a shield-shaped droplet below that is engraved with the number “16” with a crossed hook and ladder across the “16.” The word “LIBERTY” is engraved in calligraphic letters across the arch, and the engraving is filled with black enamel. The back of the plate is inscribed “Built by/C.E. Hartshorn/New York.” Charles E. Hartshorn built a variety of fire fighting apparatus in New York City during the mid-to-late 19th century.
At the core of any fire company is the apparatus used to fight fires and protect lives. This was particularly true of for the volunteer fire fighters in 19th century America. Often purchased with their own funds, their fire engines were the focus of their pride and affection, as well as their identities as fire fighters. Engine plates, often made of brass, would be prominently affixed to engines and inscribed with the company name, number, and founding date. Engine plates could pass from old engine to new, or be kept in the firehouse as a memorial to a departed apparatus.
This nickel-plated brass engine plate was used by the Hibernia Fire Engine Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania which was established in 1752. The arching plate has the text “HIBERNIA” engraved in wide shaded calligraphic letters. The sides of the plate have holes showing where the plate would have been attached to the engine. The ends are engraved with ornamental acanthus leafs around the holes. The Hibernia Fire Engine Company operated as a hand engine company until it acquired a steam fire engine in 1858. It operated as a steam fire engine company until 1871 when Philadelphia’s paid firefighting department was established and was one of Philadelphia’s largest and oldest companies, and used several different engines and apparatus during its history.
At the core of any fire company is the apparatus used to fight fires and protect lives. This was particularly true of for the volunteer fire fighters in 19th century America. Often purchased with their own funds, their fire engines were the focus of their pride and affection, as well as their identities as fire fighters. Engine plates, often made of brass, would be prominently affixed to engines and inscribed with the company name, number, and founding date. Engine plates could pass from old engine to new, or be kept in the firehouse as a memorial to a departed apparatus.
This brass engine plate belonged to the Hayes Fire Truck. Daniel D. Hayes was a machinist working for the San Francisco Fire department who developed and patented the first fire truck aerial ladder. Hayes and William Free received patent number 74,821 on February 25, 1868 for their improvement in fire-escape ladders that were “portable and capable of being rapidly raised to any desired angle between a horizontal and perpendicular without being removed from the truck” so that people could escape or the fire could be subdued. American LaFrance purchased the patent and manufactured the “Hayes Aerial” beginning in the early 1880's. The rectangular brass plate with scalloped edges has been painted brown with raised lettering painted gold that reads “HAYES FIRE TRUCK/PATENTED/ FEB’Y 25 1868 APRIL 9 1878/ REISSUED JUNE 17 1879.”
This “Mechanics” emblem consists of a crossed hook and ladder behind a cut-out capital letter “I” below a banner with the text “MECHANICS” painted in striped-block letters. This emblem may have been a badge or breast plate for a ribbon. This emblem may have belonged to the Mechanics Hook and Ladder Company Number 7 of New York City.
At the core of any fire company is the apparatus used to fight fires and protect lives. This was particularly true of for the volunteer fire fighters in 19th century America. Often purchased with their own funds, their fire engines were the focus of their pride and affection, as well as their identities as fire fighters. Engine plates, often made of brass, would be prominently affixed to engines and inscribed with the company name, number, and founding date. Engine plates could pass from old engine to new, or be kept in the firehouse as a memorial to a departed apparatus.
This silver-plated brass plate was probably used by either the Northern Liberty Fire Company No. 1 or the Northern Liberty Hose Company No. 4 of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The rectangular plate has the text “NORTHERN LIBERTY” engraved in fancy calligraphic letters. There are three holes at the top that would have been used for mounting.