Ninety-one years ago, the Lawrenceville Fire Company was organized by a group of citizens of this community in order to protect lives and property from fire. The first meetings of the Lawrenceville Fire Company were held at Applegate's. On May 3, 1915, the first officers and trustees were elected.

Applegate's circa 1915

At a special meeting held March, 17th, a lot was purchased in Phillips Avenue for $200.00. On June 14th, it was voted to procure a certificate of Incorporation, and by July 9th a drive was started to raise a fund of $3,000.00 to build a suitable building. On September 15th of that year, an agreement was signed with the building contractor to proceed with the work. Finally, on January 31, 1916, the opening night was held. The first meeting was held in the new quarters on February 14, 1916.

In the last eighty-five years, the fire company has purchased the lots in the rear and at the side of the original property and has added six additions to our original building, culminating with our most recent renovation and construction, costing in excess of $1,000,000.00.

One of the hand-drawn chemical truck wagons from the Lawrenceville Prep School

In 1915, the Lawrenceville School granted the use of their equipment, until such time as the fire company was able to purchase their own. This equipment consisted of two hand-drawn hose carts, three hand-drawn chemical truck wagons, and one hand or horse drawn wooden ladder truck. This offer was gladly accepted and plans were made to obtain our own motorized apparatus, beginning with the purchase of a 1914 Peerless automobile.

An 1897 horse-drawn Silsby steam pumper was bought from Newton, Pennsylvania Fire Company and the 600 g.p.m. pump was removed and installed on the Peerless chassis by the members and the body work was fabricated by Henry Benders Wheel Wright Shop. Finally, during the year 1918, we had our first complete motorized apparatus.