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Delano Fire Company History
In
1941, our country having been attacked by Japan on the
island of Oahu, was actively involved in World War II.
The next most important concern of the people of Delano
was a community hall. This was a widely discussed matter
in church, at work on the railroad, Kelly Shaup's drug
store, in the engine house, where Joseph Cauley was roundhouse
foreman; at the station, operated by Marty Downey, and
in school, where Harris Wertman was principal.
Delano
was a very busy railroad terminal at this time. Much of
the iron ore hauled to Bethlehem Steel Company passed
through the town. Reports of submarine sightings along
the Eastern seaboard made some of our citizens a little
uneasy, especially the World War I Veterans, who continually
pointed out the importance of our contribution to the
war effort. The Delano Union Church was the only below
ground level building in our community with a room able
to accommodate a limited number of our women and children,
in the event we were to be bombed. We had no fire fighting
equipment, except a two-wheel hose cart which held about
300 feet of two and one-half inch hose. This was stored
in Edward Cauley's garage.
In May 1942, the B-yard was
the scene of a flag raising ceremony. The car department
employees had erected the flag pole and Father McGarvey
of Mahanoy City was the guest speaker for the occasion.
It was during and after this gathering that the realization
of the need for a community hall started to gain momentum.
Meetings were held in the freight house, station, engine house,
and school building auditorium, in the effort to find
a solution. Harry Edinger, a Delano Township Supervisor,
made many phone calls, as well as made trips to Jersey
City where he met with Attorneys Wilcox and Baird, and
Superintendent L.P. Zeigler of the Lehigh Valley Railroad
company in the attempt to obtain a piece of ground upon
which to construct the community hall, as well as any
building materials which might be made available to us
for our building project. Months later the Lehigh Valley
Railroad Company Agreed to transfer a suitable piece of
ground to us, providing it did not interfere with their
present existing buildings and yards, or the operation
of their business. The present site was picked by Harry
Edinger, Joseph Cauley, Elmer Matz, Jerry Ryan, William
Jones and William Rhoades. In order to proceed further,
it was necessary for this group to become organized and
incorporated.
The second goal set by this group was a
piece of fire fighting equipment. On August 6, 1943 a
meeting was held in the club room of the freight house.
The following citizens agreed to form an organization
to be known as the Delano Fire Company. Those attending
were: Harry Edinger, Jerry Ryan, Elmer Matz, William Rhoades,
John Defrehn, Elmer Deitrich, John Dougherty, Bernard
Herman, John Ryan, Thomas Reese, Clarence Jones, Kenneth
Adams and Wilbur Andrews. A building committee was formed
with men volunteering to serve on this committee: Chairman
Harry Edinger, Vice-Chairman William Jones, Joseph Cauley,
Elmer Matz, William Rhoades, Jerry Ryan and John Ryan.
Dues were set at $.25 per month. The first regular meeting
was held August 10, 1943. At this time the following officers
and committees were nominated and appointed: President
Wilbur Andrews, Vice-President Kenneth Adams, Recording
Secretary Clarence Jones, Treasurer Stanley Shaup, Financial
Secretary Joseph Bowman, Trustees Lewis Shaup, Jerry Ryan,
Harry Edinger, Henry Faust, William Rhoades. Building
Committee Chairman Harry Edinger, Vice-Chairman William
Jones, Joseph Cauley, Elmer Matz, William Rhoades, Jerry
Ryan and John Ryan. By-Laws Committee Chairman William
Jones, Joseph Cauley, Clayre Matz, Charles Diefenderfer
and John Dougherty. The fire company was named DELANO
FIRE COMPANY NO. 1, motioned by Clayre Matz, seconded
by Joseph Bowman, Sr.
The woman were just as much a part
of the building project as were the men. They started
fund raising activities before we had a firm commitment
on the ground. In 1968 the firehouse caught fire, to read
more about that click here This
includes pictures.
If you're looking for pictures of the Delano Train Station
when it was being demolished, click
here.
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