Derby’s Hotchkiss Hose Turns 175

The Hotchkiss Hose Co. 1, Derby’s oldest fire company, will celebrate its 175th anniversary on June 9th at Grassy Hill Lodge in Derby. 

Brother fire fighters and members of the public are welcome to attend this most memorable celebration. 

Tickets are $25, which includes appetizers, dinner and open bar. 

Tickets can be obtained by calling one of the Company Officers.

Captain Gloade 203 – 823-3758

1st Lt. Fitch 203 – 395-8902

2nd Lt. Stanis 203 – 518-1333

In June of 1837 it was authorized by the General Assembly that the first fire company of the Village of Birmingham be named the Hotchkiss Hose Company No.1 of the Derby Fire Department. 

Their first fire engine was of the larger hand pump variety which was equipped with long handles on both sides and running the length of the machine being manned by about twelve firemen. This engine was called the Boston Tub” and was a low-wheeled affair which required a large amount of hard pulling to get to a fire and a large amount of hard pumping to force a small stream from a well or the river into a burning building.

Part of the company equipment in its first days consisted of a number of leather buckets and when no water was convenient, a line formed to the nearest well and these buckets put into use. 

In the early days the old company which Julius Hotchkiss, Ephraim Curtiss Edward Shelton and Edmund Lewis started was housed in a barn at the northwest corner of Third and Minerva Streets.

To this day The Hotchkiss Hose motto has remained the same To Do Good Is Our Intent.”

Keep local reporting alive. Donate.ValleyIndy.org