SOUTHOLD FIRE DEPARTMENT BEGINNINGS
What
would you do if your home or business were threatened with destruction by fire
and there was no fire department to call? This was the question faced by the
residents of Southold Village on a cold January evening in 1886 when they
assembled in Belmont Hall to consider the crucial matter of fire protection in
their community.
Through
the course of that meeting and the two that followed, residents established the
Fireman’s Aid Association of Southold, charged a committee with the task of
investigating appropriate equipment and raised funds ($160.00 from “up-town” and
$90.00 from “down-town”) for the support of their new enterprise. Membership in
the association was encouraged with those who subscribed to the Fire Department
Fund being excused from the .25 cent initiation fee.
 Protection Engine
Company No.1 was created Saturday, February 13, 1886 in Belmont Hall, H. H.
Huntting was elected Foreman along with R. S. Sturges, O. A. Prince and E. L.
Conklin as other officers. Committees were established to draft by-laws,
investigate equipment and uniform purchases. On the same day Eagle Hook and
Ladder Company No.1 held their first official meeting at the old Case house near
the corner of Boisseau Avenue and Main Street. After a brief election, H. G.
Booth was elected Foreman; Wm. A Glover, Assistant Foreman; Wm. Cochran,
Secretary and John Singley, Treasurer.
Secretary Cochran read the
proposed by-laws to the membership for approval and after several amendments
were made, the motion for their acceptance was carried. The design for the
uniforms met with as much discussion. A lively debate ensued and eventually a
blue blouse with eagle breast work, red belt and black derby hat became the
official uniform of Eagle Hook and Ladder Company. March 8th was
voted on and accepted as the next meeting date, with this the men were
dismissed.
Thus a viable fire department was
born, and a prominent period in the history of Southold was recorded.
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