The History of the

Fairview Hose Company

East Mauch Chunk’s first organized fire department was the Onoko Hose Co. #1, which was formed in 1890. In 1911, the Onoko Hose Co. #1 disbanded. For over 100 years, the Fairview Hose Co. #2 has proudly defended what was the borough of East Mauch Chunk, presently the eastern section of Jim Thorpe. For over 96 years we have been the sole fire station in East Mauch Chunk. We owe a debt of gratitude to our forefathers for helping us to become, “The Pride of the East Side.”

Fairview Hose Co. # 2, East Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania, traces its origin to a gathering of well known citizens, back to the year of 1907, and has since developed into one of the outstanding fire companies in Carbon County. It has rendered excellent service and has always played an important part in the community welfare.

Prominent citizens – Edward Armbruster, William Isaac, Henry Hascher, William Moyer, Jerry Anstead, Henry Searfoss, John Hascher, John Peschel, Simon Whetstone, and Allen Dunbar gathered at the Fairview Hotel operated by Henry Searfoss, and called a meeting to discuss the forming of a fire company. After considerable discussion on the matter, the Fairview hose Co. # 2 was formed for “providing equipment and an organization for the fighting and control of fire” with the following officers being elected: William Isaac, President; Henry Hascher, Vice-President; John Peschel, Secretary; Henry Searfoss, Treasurer, Charles Berhardt, Trustee; William Leyer, Trustee; David Rose, Trustee.

The first step was to secure a Charter of Incorporation and host Searfoss granted the newly formed company the use of his barn in the rear of the Fairview Hotel until proper quarters could be secured for meetings and social functions. The original officers proved equal to the task imposed upon them and under their guidance, the Fairview Hose Co flourished from its inception.

The first recorded “job” that the Fairview boys caught appeared in the Mauch Chunk Coal Gazette on August 2, 1907. The Onoko & Fairview boys responded and had the blaze extinguished “in about half an hour.” The blaze, which caused $500 in damage, started in the summer kitchen when a spark from the chimney landed on dry shingles and “grew to a mass of flames.” Both companies were complimented for their “prompt and active service” at that incident.

The organization grew so rapidly that necessary steps were taken to construct a building to house the company and the necessary property was purchased from the Dunbar’s, located at 9th & School Streets. The excavation for the foundation of the building was done by members of the Hose Company and the construction of the building was started immediately after. It was completed in 1910 and then presented to the Borough Council and was accepted by Herman Reihman who was the President of Borough Council. Council immediately turned the commodious quarters over to the Hose Company to operate as long as they maintained an organization as required by the Borough Ordinance.

In the spring of 1918, the borough supported the purchase of a $5,500.00 “motor-driven” fire engine. The engine purchased was an American LaFrance.

In 1922, the company took an important step in establishing a fund to pay to dependents of members in good standing, the sum of $25.00 upon death. The fund had its inception from donations of money for flowers of deceased members.

In 1925, after a disastrous fire at the Lehigh Valley Railroad Station in which several fireman were injured, the question arose as to the forming of a Fireman’s Relief Association to pay the injured fireman compensation for injuries in the line of duty and the sum of $100.00 to survivors of fireman called to the Great Beyond in the line of duty. In 1926, the East Mauch Chunk Fireman’s Relief Association was formed and a Charter of Incorporation was granted by the Court of Carbon County to be maintained by dues and 2% of the Foreign Fireman’s Insurance, collected by the State of Pennsylvania as prescribed by law, and turned over to the Relief Association every year. Members are entitled to their wages and to survivors the sum of $100.00 upon death resulting from injuries at a fire. Later on, the company insured all members under a policy that then paid $40.00 per week and $3,000 in death benefits, resulting from a response to the fire call.

In response to the trend of modern time, the Hose Company sponsored the Four County Fireman’s Parade and Convention in East Mauch Chunk in June of 1939. Its secretary, Cornelius Gillespie, was elected the first President of the Four-County Fireman’s Association from East Mauch Chunk.

Due to a vast increase in membership, it was necessary to expand our social quarters in order to take care of the large membership. In 1942 an annex was constructed on to the present quarters at a cost of $14,000.000 which was borne by the company and was one of the finest quarters the time.

In keeping with the ever expanding of modern times, the Hose Company purchased an ambulance for the use of the people of the community. This ambulance was put into service in 1950 as the first free ambulance service to be established in Carbon County.

From our humble beginnings we have grown into a modern day fire department with some of the best equipment and personnel around. Our firefighters are equipped with the best PPE and tools available and respond on some of the best apparatus available. Every time we respond on a call, every time you see us, you know we are out there upholding our long history of excellence.