Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Arsonist Sets Fire To Council House


On February 20, 1859 in the afternoon hours someone set fire to the Council House located at on King Street at Normal Avenue (now Prince Street). For those of you not familiar with Shippensburg history the Council house was the home of the Vigilant Fire Company at the time and the borough offices. The blaze was set in the entranceway to a second floor closet. The fire was beginning to make considerable headway before firemen were able to control it. A damage estimate was not available. And no apparatus was damaged. The Vigilant Fire and Cumberland Valley Fire companies answered the alarm. On the same day an attempt was made to set fire to the School House occupied by Messrs. Reynolds and Richards, but a timely discovery and prompt actions by a group of boys the damage was minimal and the fire department was not notified.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

OK Brad , I have a history question .The old council house /Vigilant station. When it was razed and the present day station was built. Where did the Vigilants house its equipment and where did they conduct day to day activities, meetings etc.

Thanks

Brad Myers said...

I do not know where they conducted their meetings at but the auto garage on the oposite corner (used to be Welkers Ford) was where they piut the apparatus. I would have to check my books for the name it eludes me before I have had my morning coffee.

Anonymous said...

Could it be S.D. Jones, or did the name pre-date that ????

Haney said...

President Barbour instructed the trustees to "see about temporary quarters". At the 3/6/28 mtg they reported "2 rooms available in mMartin Bldg on Prince St for meeting and clubbing" VHC met here beginning 4/6/28, paying rent to Mrs Mary Martin $8.00 an month. Housing at new station was 9/20/28. Also from 3/6 motioned to "take picture of old bldg before it is torn down" Is this the picture you show here?