Source: Massachusetts Historical Commission Resource Information System
As a part of East Bridgewater since the turn of the nineteenth century, the Elmwood Fire House remains intact and a vital piece of history. It was constructed in 1888 and was home to the Elmwood Fire Company, memorialized here through the memories of Betty Belknap Stirling and Edna Whitmore.
Their memories solidify East Bridgewater as the hardworking, proud and close-knit community that it remains now. “[T]he driver of the Elmwood fire truck, Art Keith, lived next door to me. On warm summer nights, I’d hear his phone ring out his bedroom window, informing him about a fire in town,” Stirling remembers.
Stirling recalls with pride the efficiency of Art Keith and the rest of the crew. “He’d jump out of bed and into his driving boots, which were always next to his bed, and zoom down to the fire station. As soon as some other volunteer firemen arrived, Art would zip down the street to the fire, usually near E.B. center. I’ve witnessed that truck leaving the station many times, sometimes with the men hanging onto the truck as Art stepped on the gas pedal.”
It’s clear that memories of the Elmwood Fire House and Company are still held in great esteem. Stirling even exalts in their capability, “[w]e Elmwoodites always claimed that the Elmwood firetruck was the first one at all the fires! Probably not always true!” Well, we like to think it is!
Whitmore shares memories of the weekly practice sessions of the “bucket brigade”. The community, including children and adults, would gather to watch these sessions on the sidewalks of Elmwood Village to watch the company practice at 7:00 p.m. on summer evenings.
Men would also join together in the upper room of the station to play cards and catch up with one another almost nightly. While in the 40s and 50s the Elmwood Band would practice weekly as family and community members gathered to listen.
The fellowship did not end there, as Whitmore recalls how the fallen leaves of a beech tree were used to honor those lost. Dressed in their navy blue, firemen would march from the firehouse to the church for “Firemen Sunday”. “After the service they marched to Elmwood Cemetery to lay the sprays on the graves of deceased members.”
Back then, the Elmwood Fire House stoked the embers of a community alive with togetherness, today it remains preserved as a private residence.
Story by Miriam Heath and Caitlin Shea, BuzzAround Interns.
Source: Massachusetts Historical Commission Resource Information System
