Historic Timeline
1755
- Nicholas Minor
acquired land around the intersection of Carolina Road (U.S. Highway 15) and
Potomac Ridge Road (Virginia Highway 7). The collection of buildings about his
tavern was called "George Town," after the King of England
1757
- Loudoun County
was split from Fairfax County and the settlement became the location of the
Loudoun County courthouse. The Town was officially established when the name
was changed to Leesburg, to honor the influential Thomas Lee.
1776 - The
Declaration of Independence was read on
the courthouse steps
1788,
Jan. 7 - Virginia
law allows fire companies to be incorporated
1803,
Nov. 15 – Citizens
of Leesburg form “a Fire Company”, 48 members
1809,
July 29 – The
“Relief Fire Company” is incorporated with 83 members. There are now two fire companies in Leesburg
1812
- During the War of 1812, Loudoun County served
briefly as a temporary refuge for the President as well as national treasures
rescued from the Capital
1813,
Feb. 8 – The Town
of Leesburg is incorporated
1813,
Apr. 24 - The
Town Council passed “An Act Concerning
Chimneys”
1819,
Jan. 29 – Market
Street Fire occurred in Leesburg – First documented use of a hand pumper and a significant
event in the evolution of the Fire Company
1819,
Jan. 30 – The
Leesburg Fire Company” is incorporated with 79 members
1819,
Feb. 6 – The Town
of Leesburg “An Act for the Better
Government of the Citizens on Occasions of Fire and Other purposes”
1821,
Jun. 11 – The
Leesburg Fire Company is reincorporated as the Leesburg Friendship Fire
Company with 43 Members
1822,
Apr. 10 - The
Town of Leesburg enacts “A Law for the Safe Keeping of Ladders and
Fire Hooks in the Town of Leesburg”
1822,
Dec. 21 - The
Town of Leesburg creates a Board of Safety responsible for inspecting stoves,
chimneys and general construction for fire safety
1823,
Nov. 28 – The
Town of Leesburg enacts “A Law Concerning Pumps and Hydrants”
1826,
Jan. 7 – The Leesburg
Friendship Fire Company is reincorporated with 56 members
1827
- The Relief Fire Company becomes
the Star Fire Company some time in this year
1827,
Oct. 20 - The “Friendship
Fire Company of Leesburg” is reincorporated with a slightly changed name with
49 Members
1830, Apr. 30 – The first
Fire Station in Loudoun County is established in Leesburg as a shed on the Courthouse
Green
1831, Jul. 8 - The Town
Council established a Board of Health to help locally combat the spreading national cholera epidemic
1832,
July 19 - The
Town of Leesburg amends the Law Concerning Pumps and Hydrants
1832,
Nov. 16 – The Fire Companies of Leesburg
are given permission to use the Courthouse for Meetings
1836,
Dec 23 - The
Town of Leesburg enacts “An Act to Prevent the Sale of Fire Crackers in the
Town of Leesburg.” This law prevents the sale of fire crackers to “boys and other thoughtless persons”.
1838,
Apr. 23 - The
Town of Leesburg passes an Act titled “A
Supplement to an act entitled an Act for the better Government of the Town of
Leesburg on the Occasions of Fire and other purposes passed on the 6th
Day of Feb. 1819”- Winner of the longest bureaucratic name contest. The Battle of the Alamo also took
place this year
1849,
May - The Mutual
Fire Insurance Company of Loudoun County was organized
1851,
Feb. 11 – The Union
Fire Company is incorporated
1859,
Sept. 5 – The Water Works Committee was authorized
to have a Tub for the United Fire Company to be used in the absence of a
cistern. Said Tub to be placed upon wheels.
1861,
Mar. 16 - The Virginia
Fire Company was incorporated with 22 members
1861
- 1865 – The Civil War was fought. Union troops
occupied Leesburg and Loudoun County from 1862 until 1865.
1866,
Oct. 13 –Two
Fire Company Engineers were appointed by the Town Council making them the first
paid firemen in Loudoun County
1870,
Dec 23 - The Fire
Company is reorganized into a Department with 17 volunteer firemen who were
compensated yearly by the Town. The Company is also known as the Virginia Fire
Company
1873,
Sept. 24 – The Fire
Shed on the Courthouse Green was torn down and the Fire Department moved to a
new station on Wirt Street
1878
- The Fire
Company moves from Wirt Street to a new Station on King Street near Loudoun
Street. During this time, the Company is also referred to as the “Fire Department”
or “United Fire Company”
1881 – A new Relief Company comprised of volunteers was
organized
1882 – The new alarm bell; weighing
in at 600lbs, was delivered. It now sits in front of Station 1 on Loudoun
Street
1884 – The Relief Company requests
that the Town pay them just as the United Fire Company The Town Council agrees
to pay them half the amount.
1888,
Jan. 6 – The New
Town Hall at Loudoun and King Streets was in operation. The hand drawn fire pumpers
and reels were kept under the stage.
1891,
May 28 –
Electric lights lit up King Street in downtown Leesburg for the first time
1894,
Jan. 8 – The Bailey
Institute; one of the earliest institutions for African American education in
the area, was destroyed by fire.
1894,
Feb, 29 - The
Leesburg High School was destroyed by fire
1894
– After nineteen years as Chief of the United Company,
Thomas Cockey handed over the Fire Company to the new Chief, Mr. S. W. Norris
1894 – The Relief Company is now paid
the same as the United Company.
1896
– 1898 – An arson
spree occurs throughout Loudoun County
1897,
Apr. 13 – Mr. W.S.
Jenkins warehouse and grain elevator near the depot in Leesburg, was destroyed
by fire.
1898,
Oct. 6 - The new flouring mill and grain elevator of
Mr. W. S. Jenkins & Company and the freight depot of the Southern Railroad,
were destroyed by fire.
1901,
Jan. 26 - The large house belonging to Mr. W.S. Jenkins
was destroyed by fire. Yes, the same W. S. Jenkins who lost two mills also had
his house burn down.
1903,
Oct. 27 – Two
tanks of the Standard Oil Company caught fire. The resulting explosion came
close to killing many of the firemen
1904 - The United and Relief had now merged into a
single Fire Department with two companies of twenty four men each. While still
referred to as the United and Relief Companies, they were also beginning to be
called Company 1 and Company 2 respectively.
1906 - The Town of Leesburg’s new waterworks was
completed. Increased hydrant pressure meant that hand pumpers were no longer
needed at most fires.
1907 - The Leesburg Town Council concluded
that ten men were sufficient for the purpose of staffing the Fire Department under
the new system of waterworks. In order to save some money, the Council chose reduce
the Fire Department from forty eight to fifteen firemen.
1907
– A large fire
destroys several buildings in the center of Waterford. Assistance from Leesburg
and surrounding areas brought the fire under control.
1911,
Aug. 19 – A huge
blaze occurred at the Norris & Bro.’s lumber yards on South King Street,
Leesburg.
1915 - The Town of Round Hill, in
western Loudoun County, appoints two Chiefs to raise a fire company and
authorizes the purchase of fire apparatus. Not incorporated until 1938, they
are known today as Company 4.
1916,
Jan. 14 - The
first Firemen’s Annual Banquet was held in the Town Hall. In January, 2016 we celebrated
one hundred years of this tradition.
1916 –The first traffic laws and
speed limits in Leesburg were enacted
1916,
Nov. 13 – The Ice
Plant in Leesburg used by the Christo Cola Company to bottle its soft drinks,
was destroyed by fire. This was the first of two Leesburg bottling plants
destroyed by fire.
1917-
1919 - The United States fought in World War I
1923,
Jun. 5 – After several
large fires, the Town of Purcellville organized and incorporated the second
fire company in Loudoun County. They are known today as Company 2.
1925,
Feb. 2 – The Leesburg
High School burns again. The length of hose needed to stretch from distant
hydrants result in low water pressure and the building was destroyed. Purcellville’s
chemical engine assisted with this fire.
1925,
Feb. 3 – The Town
Council agreed to purchase a motorized pumper for use by the Fire Company. The Firemen
began raising money and purchased a ladder truck. Both vehicles were delivered
later that year.
1926, Mar. 23, Eight
buildings were destroyed by a fire in downtown Hamilton. Firemen from Leesburg
and Purcellville were assisted by citizen fire brigades.
1927, May 4, Leesburg
assisted at a fire in Herndon that threatened the entire business section. Also
assisting was the Number 5 Engine Company from Washington as well as Falls
Church, McLean and Clarendon.
1927, Sept. The new fire
station next to the Opera House is completed.
1927, Oct. The motor of
the 1925 Seagrave pumper had blown up. A new motor was purchased by the town.
1928, Jul. 26, A fire
destroyed the J T Hirst lumber yard including buildings and machinery. This is
the old Norris Bro’s facility which J T Hirst had purchased 15 months earlier
1928, Aug., The first LVFC
Carnival was held
1929, May 27, LVFC and the
Town split the cost of a new pumper. Bids for the new fire apparatus:
·
Segrave: $6500.00,
·
American LaFrance: 1. $6750.00 2. $5000.00
·
Brockaway: 1. $6000.00; 2. $4875.00
·
Buffalo: 1. $5750.00 2. $5000.00
A polled vote of
the members of the Fire Company present, resulted as follows: Segrave 11. For
the American LaFrance 3. Not voting 4. Seagrave won and that October, our 1929
Seagrave pumper was delivered.
1932, Apr. 27, A fire
spreading rapidly through the upper story caused $20,000 damage to the Leesburg
Inn located just west of the Court House. Leesburg was assisted by Purcellville,
Herndon, McLean, Vienna, Falls Church, Alexandria and Warrenton and saved the
building.
1933, Feb. 18, Fire
destroyed several buildings and threatened Middleburg. It was 40 minutes before
the Leesburg Fire Department, 18 miles away, could reach the scene and assist
the bucket brigade. Next arriving were
Warrenton, Purcellville and Herndon fire companies.
1933, Apr. 12, A large
part of the business section of Leesburg was destroyed by fire. Assisted by Herndon and Purcellville. LVFC Lieutenant
Allen Adrian, was injured while fighting the fire.
1933, Jul. 23, Voted to
attend the State Firemen’s Association in Suffolk Virginia. Also pay for the
boat fare including stateroom to Suffolk and the return trip. Treasurer will
give each man $10 and write a check to the steam boat company
1935, Oct. 27, Fire
destroyed the F. R. Johnston Department Store in Marshal Va. Warrenton, Front
Royal and Leesburg assisted.
There were 32 fires for the Company in 1935. 10 in town and 22 out of
town. Total miles responding to and returning from calls was 672 miles.
1936, Aug. 24, The Middleburg
Fire Department was incorporated
1937, Apr. 6, The only
business done at this regular company meeting was a vote to have the pockets of
the pool table fixed. Meeting adjourned.
1937, June The Town and the
Fire Company agreed to split the cost of a Seagrave new pumper to replace the
1925 engine. The town sold the 1925 later that year. The 1937 Seagrave was
delivered in December.
In 1937 there were 33 fires – 16 in and 15 out of town
1938, Mar. Voted that with
the dress uniforms of the company, all men are to wear white shirts and a
black, four-in-hand tie as standard wear
1938, May Asked by the
Postmaster to sponsor an air show at George Field for National Airmail Week.
The fire company agreed. George Field was an air strip on a field located just
south of Edwards Ferry Rd. across from Washington Street, between where Plaza
Street and Catoctin Circle are today.
1938, Aug. Took the 37’
Seagrave to the Virginia Firemen’s Convention in Luray Virginia.
1938 The Round Hill
Volunteer Fire Dept. was incorporated
1939, Apr. 17, After
purchasing oxygen tanks, an inhalator and first aid kits, the Company voted to
establish a First Aid Squad. William Fiske was appointed as the officer in charge
and selected men to help him.
1939, May 13, A fire
Downtown on King Street South of Market damaged several buildings. Assisted by
Purcellville and Herndon.
1939, Nov. 20, Voted
that each man to be allowed fifteen cents credit for night fires to buy coffee
and sandwiches. Also voted to buy a Dripulator to be used to make coffee after
night fires.
1940, Aug. 31, The worst
disaster in the history of commercial air travel (up until that time) occurred
in Loudoun County. A Pennsylvania Central Airlines Douglas DC-3 crashed in a
field in northwestern Loudoun during a thunder storm. All 25 people on board
were killed in what became known as the Lovettsville Air Disaster. The bodies
were removed and transported by a caravan of ambulances and hearses to a
temporary morgue at the Union Cemetery in Leesburg.
1940, Oct. 2, A student
pilot was killed when his Waco biplane crashed near todays Lowes Island, in
Sterling. The pilot was unconscious
after the crash and was taken by the Herndon Fire Department rescue squad to
the Georgetown hospital where he died.
1940, Oct 7, At a
regular Company meeting, D. M. McDonald suggested buying an ambulance for not
more than $650.00. L.T. Cooksey motion, Titus second, to buy an ambulance not
to exceed $650.00. The ambulance arrives later that month. On October 21 it was
recorded that Wm. Fiske will start a first aid school on October 28 and asked
all members possible to be present. On April 7, 1941, it was recorded that Wm.
Fiske was made Captain of the First Aid Squad and ordered that they meet and
set up a separate set of officers and that money taken by the First Aid Squad
ambulance go to a separate fund. All expenses for the ambulance were covered by
the fire company, not the town.
1940, Dec. 16, A
committee is established to investigate splitting from the Town and becoming an
independent organization. All purchases and repairs must go through the Town
Council for approval. Depending on the funds available, it often takes a while
to get needed equipment and with money coming in from the carnival and other
fundraisers, the Company is in a good place. On September 24, 1941, the Company
decided to stay under the Town for liability purposes. On October 6, 1941, the
Company was reorganized as the Leesburg Fire Company.
1941, Jun. 7, Representatives
of the firefighting organizations of Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Prince
William, Loudoun and Fauquier organized Zone No. 1 of the Fire Protection
Mobilization Committee of the Virginia State Defense Council in Alexandria
yesterday. Plans for coordinating all of the fire companies to work in case of
wide spread forest or other fires were outlined.
1941, Dec. 19, At a special
meeting, the Mayor swore in all Fire Company members as special policemen for
the duration of the war.
1942, Mar. While responding to a house fire in Waterford the 1929 Seagrave broke
down at the crest of the hill on Route 7. The crew made their way back to Leesburg and responded with the 1937 Seagrave but found very little left of the house to save when they arrived. They were able to keep the fire from spreading to several out buildings nearby. Following this fire, the Town
purchased a new motor for the “Little Truck”; most likely the 29’ Seagrave.
1944, Sept. 8, The
Company changed the lettering on the back of the coats from Leesburg Fire
Company to Leesburg Volunteer Fire Company
1944, Dec. 11, The
Company went to the Town Council to ask that the Town turn over control of the
fire company. On March 12, 1945, the Town turned down the Companies proposal to
split.
1944, July 26, The Hamilton
Volunteer Fire Department held it's first meeting.
1945, March Ashburn Volunteer
Fire & Rescue Company is organized.
1945, Sept. 10, The
Town Council allowed the Fire Company to house the equipment that they purchased
for out of town fires in the fire house and allowed them to keep the funds
received from the County for out of town fires. They also decided to take the
No. 2 Ladder Truck from the fire house use it “for the benefit of its citizens.”
1947, April – The Buffalo
Pumper was delivered
1947, Jun. 13, Pennsylvania Central
Airlines Flight 410, a Douglas DC-4, crashed into Lookout Rock in the West
Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains while en-route to Washington. All 50 passengers
and crew on board were killed in what was at the time, the second-worst
airplane accident in the history of U.S. domestic air travel. The Red Cross
units from Leesburg and Clarke County were active during the emergency. The
bodies of the victims were carried out two miles by bearers and two more miles
by jeep the Red Cross Headquarters at the school near Hillsboro. From this
point bearers transferred the remains to a temporary morgue at the Union
Cemetery in Leesburg. No indication yet, that LVFC participated
1949, August At a regular Company
meeting, the subject of ballfield, lights and swimming pool brought up. On August
15, a committee was appointed to find a suitable field. At the September 12
meeting, the Company voted to purchase the Littlejohn lot at the east corner of
Dry Mill Road and Loudoun Street for $10,000.
1950, May 6, The $40,000 lighted ball
park owned by the Leesburg Volunteer Fire Company opened. Old time Leesburg
ballplayers, the Washington Nationals coach and famous radio and television
personality Arthur Godfrey helped in the dedication.
1952, Sept. 12, Loudoun County
Volunteer Rescue Squad incorporated. Over the years, units were housed in
Purcellville, Hamilton and Leesburg
1954, Nov. 1, Voted to
purchase a new 1954 GMC pumper with a three-stage pump and a 600-gallon tank.
1956, Feb. Mrs. Harry
White donated the bell from town hall to the Firemen.
1957, Jan. 21, Ambulance
sold to LVFC member Howard Gill
1957 The Arcola community
and the Lion's Club formed the Arcola-Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire
Department.
1958, Mar. 3, Voted to
join the newly formed Loudoun County Volunteer Firemen’s Association
1958, May 21, Twelve persons were killed in a mid-air collision of a Capital airlines
passenger plane and a Maryland Air National Guard T-33 trainer near Point of
Rocks in Jefferson Maryland. It is unknown if LVFC assisted but quite possible.
1958 Dec., Two way
radios are installed in the trucks. “Central Dispatch” is being established.
1959, Jun. 1, Voted to buy
a Jeep from Lupton Orchard Service
1959, Jul. 18, The first of two fires that destroyed the Goose Creek Country Club. Assisted
by Ashburn, Hamilton, Purcellville, Philmont, Herndon and Vienna
1960 Central dispatch is
up and running. Run cards are being created for all companies and conducting
weekly tests of house sirens. There is a list of all fire company members and
phone numbers. Fire school is only four days long and hosted by companies
around the County. Lucketts Fire Company was established.
1961, Oct 29, The Drug Fair in the small shopping center where the County parking
garage is today, was burned out. Assisted by Purcellville, Luckett’s, Hamilton
and Ashburn.
1962, Jan. 1, Voted to
become the Leesburg Volunteer Fire Company Inc. The new company was
incorporated on
April 19, 1962 and directors were appointed. The Company is now independent from the Town.
April 19, 1962 and directors were appointed. The Company is now independent from the Town.
1963, Aug. 5, Howard
Leigh moved to hold a picnic for the members at the pool on September 5th
1964, Jan. 20, Reported that
the Fire Company met with Town re new plans for a new fire house – Howard Gill will
go to look at stations in McClean and Great Falls
1964, July 6, Motion by J.
Fiske, sec. Hubert Welch, build new fire station not to exceed $60,000
1964 The Sterling
Volunteer Rescue Squad was created
1965 Sued by African
Americans who were denied access to the pool. The following spring, the court
ruled in their favor and ordered the firemen to desegregate the pool. The pool
would remain closed. The County Parks and Rec. was petitioned to take over the
pool in August 1967. That November, the fire company found that a valve was
broken and would not allow the pool to be filled with water to prevent
cracking. In April 1970, while working on an agreement with Parks and Rec. to
take over the operation of the pool, an engineer from the County determines
that it will cost about $35,000 to repair the pool. That June, Parks and Rec is
still working on getting permission from the Supervisors to take over the pool.
In November, 1971, the land was sold and in March 1972, a suit brought by the
NAACP against the fire company, was dropped. The pool was never reopened.
1966, Jun. 6, Loudoun County
Volunteer Rescue Squad requests LVFC run an engine on all wrecks
1966, Aug. 3, Truman Hawes, 39, a Philmont community fireman, was taken to
Winchester Memorial hospital with burns from the waste up after being the
pumper he was driving was surrounded by a field fire.
1966, Aug. 16, The Sterling Park
Volunteer Fire Company, was chartered
1966, Aug. 18, Voted to
put fire company land up for sale
1966, Nov. 7, Lingo
(same as Bingo only different) began
1967, Jun. 19, Voted to buy
Cambridge Md Rescue Company ladder truck for $3250. It was a 1939 Seagrave
Tiller, 12 cylinder engine, w/ Tilt-over Tiller Seat, All wooden ladders in
bed, 75ft aluminum aerial.
1967, Nov. 6, Voted to
buy a 1968 Seagrave pumper, 750 gal. tank, 1000gpm pump, diesel motor for
$36,383.00
1968, Apr. 15, A 1949
International oil tanker was donated by the Roderick Oil Co.
1968, May 6, Voted to close
ball field to all games due to needed repairs, expenses and other problems. It
would reopen the following year but with no frills – could not afford to turn
on the lights.
1969 The County Volunteer
Firemen’s Association was establishing boundary lines for each company
1969, Jul. Allowed up to 5 junior
members at least 16 years old
1970, Sept. 1, O R Dube’ begins
work as the County’s first fire marshal
1970, Sept. 7, Used 1964
international refrigerator truck donated. Freezer removed and tank from the old
tanker attached.
1970, Sept. Gave the
“old” fire truck (the 37’ Seagrave) to
Morven Park
1971, Mar. 1, Special recognition
to Billy Leigh and Jack York for the job well done by rescuing a child at the
North Street house fire.
1971, Apr. 19, Voted to
purchase a Seagrave pumper to be delivered in 1972
1971, Nov. 15, After
several months of negotiation, the buyers agreed to terms and the Company voted
to sell a parcel of the property west of the station.
1972, Mar. 6, Bids to
refurbish the old tiller - new tractor $21,956, refurbished trailer $8719,
Total $41,244. Voted instead to buy a tiller truck from Seagrave. Also looking
for property to build a new fire station.
1972, Jun. Leesburg Grain
and Feed Mill fire. Ladder pipe came off of the aerial and broke Billy Fiske’s
leg. That ladder pipe was replaced with a new one and a few months later was
made into a “deluge set up.”
1972, Nov. 20, Ladies
want the membership to look into putting up a building behind the fire house.
Created a building committee. May 20, 1974, Formed a committee on addition to
the building
1973, Apr. 2, Voted to
accept Parks and Rec.’s offer to pay the Company to take over the ball field
1973, Nov. 5, Company 1
will go on record as opposing paid firemen at the County Firemen’s Association.
The County Board of Supervisors meet regarding paid firemen at Sterling Park. In
February 1974, it was voted that the LVFC stands against paid firemen in
Loudoun County in any way by use of County taxes. If Sterling Park wishes to
form a fire tax district of their own, this will suffice their needs.
1974, Apr. 1, When Fire
Control was established, the units in each company were numbered. Leesburg
Company 1, used 1-1, 1-2, 1-3; Purcellville Company 2 used 2-1, 2-2 and so
on. On April 1, 1974, the County Chiefs
Association decided to change call-signs from 1,2,3 to Engine, Wagon Tanker. Leesburg’s
68’ Seagrave is Wagon 1, the 73’ is Engine 1 and the GMC is Rescue Engine 1 and
runs on all I-9’s (vehicle accidents). Also using 10 codes.
1974, Aug. 5, The Company
voted to build a 3x3x4 brick frame to hold the bell between the curb and the
sidewalk in the center of the letters in the building.
1974, Dec. 1, TWA Flight 514 crashed into Parris Mountain near
Mount Weather. All 85 passengers and 7 crew members were killed. OR Dube’ and
members from almost every fire rescue company in Loudoun responded.
1975, Jul. 14, Voted to
purchase from Mr. O G Hall, a 1974 Ford, W a V8, 2000 gal. tank truck for
$6000.00. Estimated cost to change the truck over to fire service, $2500.00.
Total - $8500.00. This tanker went in service in April 1976. The old tanker was
sold to Blue Ridge for $500.00.
1976, March Howard Willis acquired the 1937 Seagrave from Morven Park
and returned it to the fire company with the intention of restoring it to a
parade piece.
1976, Apr. 9, Voted to purchase a custom mini-pumper from Hamerly Custom Products
1976, May 17, Telephone number for Company 1 to be listed as "LVFD
Emergency only 777-7777. Non-emergency 777-1343" in the phone book
1976, June Ice Plant fire
1976, Oct. 18, Committee forms to look into 2 acres of land on the east side of
Leesburg for a sub station
1977, Feb. 21, Voted to purchase a Jeep from Kern Motors for $5994
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