Union Hose Company # 3

 

Photograph  obtained from Paul R. Loding’s book:

Images of America – Kingsbury and Hudson Falls.

 

Dating back to as early as 1881, the Union Hose Company was one of three original fire companies protecting the citizens of the Village of Sandy Hill.

 

Disbanded in 1924, its’ crucial role in providing fire protection to the Village, by now known as Hudson Falls, was carried on by a new group of proud firefighters - Carpenter Hose Company #3.

 

The station seen in the background of this photograph still stands today near the intersection of Feeder and Main Streets.

 

  History Returns to HFFD.

 

The return of this treasured piece of firefighting history in Hudson Falls started with a Sunday afternoon phone call to Assistant Chief Paul Martin from Glenn Miller (Yates County Fire Coordinator and a fellow collector of fire memorabilia) that went something like this -   “You have to check out what is on eBay!”  There on his computer screen appeared a part of Hudson Falls Fire Department history no one would ever have imagined still existed – the uniform blouse, belt and parade helmet seen in the photograph and display case.

 

 

Asst. Chief Martin began to contact other members of the Department to muster support for a member sponsored and funded purchase of these irreplaceable items. Support was unanimous; every single member loved the idea of bringing the uniform back home where it could be displayed and cherished by those to whom it would mean the most.

 

 

Photograph  obtained from Paul R. Loding’s book:

Images of America – Kingsbury and Hudson Falls.

 

Research reveled that the seller had acquired the uniform items during the estate sale in Seattle, Washington, of former Village resident Kenneth J. LaPointe.  With the seller unwilling to stop his auction and sell the uniform directly back to the members of the HFFD, Martin contacted known bidders, explained the situation and hoped they would stand down their bidding and allow the HFFD membership’s bid to carry through. It appeared that efforts had succeeded until the auction entered it final hours. Bidding activity resumed.  The return of our history wasn’t secure. Its fate was not known until the very closing of the auction.

 

Now home again in Hudson Falls, these treasures shall serve as symbol to all members of the Hudson Falls Fire Department, past, present and future, of our long and proud dedication to community service.