Items

• Universal Newsreel - Jan 9 1947 - Pier Fire at Weehawken

  Section of a Universal Newsreel detailing a major pier fire at Weehawken in 1947.
• The Red Book - Weehawken Fire Alarm Boxes

  List of Weehawken Fire Alarm boxes from The Red Book Information Guide, published in 1926 by The Interstate Map Company of Newark. From the collection of Willie Demontreux.
• Clifton Hose Co. No. 3 Clifton Park, Weehawken, N.J.

  This black and white photo postcard shows the Clifton Hose Co. which was relocated to Park Avenue. The building itself may have been moved to Fairview Terrace in West New York, according to Edward Kirk, township historian for many years. Postmarked March 2, 1910 from Weehawken. Thanks to Willie Demontreux of the Weehawken Historical Commission for this image. Two colored photographs of where the firehouse now stands as a home on Fairview Terrace.
• Deputy Chief's Badge - Weehawken Fire Department

  This photo shows a Deputy Chief's badge from the Weehawken Fire Department (since incorporated into the North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue Department).
• Chief's Badge - Weehawken Fire Department

  This colored photo shows a Chief's badge from the Weehawken Fire Department (since incorporated into the North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue Department).
• Weehawken Pier Fire

  This black and white photograph shows a burning pier on the Weehawken waterfront. It was sent in to the Time Machine by Dennis Cosgrove, who places it as having been taken around 1948. Pretty close - according to the New York Times (Jan 10, 1947, p. 14) , the fire burned for 26 hours on January 8-9, 1947 and destroyed about $3 million in merchandise. The fire was caused by chemicals leaking from a train into some water and igniting.
• Weehawken Fire Department Badge

  Badge number 49 from the Weehawken Fire Department (now part of the North Hudson Fire and Rescue). This badge belongs to Dennis Cosgrove (WFD, ret.) who sent this image in to the Time Machine.
• Weehawken Fire Department Shoulder Patch

  This shoulder patch from the Weehawken Fire Department (since merged into the North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue) adorned the uniform of Dennis Cosgrove (WFD, ret.) Thank you for the image, Dennis!
• Fire at the Penick Drug Company - 1937

  This black and white photo shows a major fire at the S.B. Penick Drug Company, located on the northeast side of the Willow Avenue Bridge (1819 Willow Avenue). The fire occurred on September 15, 1937, at the site of the S. B. Penick Drug Co., 1819 Willow Avenue. It has been recorded that it was the worst fire in Weehawken history. The photo was provided by Bernie Zempolich's, taken from his apartment building at 1734 Willow Avenue.
• Men of the Duer Hose Company in 1895

  Undated news clipping of members of the Duer Hose Co., circa 1895, posing in the rear of the Firehouse. Thanks to Time Machine User Ruth Egan.
• Weehawken Fire Engine

  Colored photo of the American La France fire engine, which was an antique when it was photographed in 1953 on Park Avenue.
• Fire Engine No. 4

  This black and white photo postcard shows Engine 4 from the Highwood Hose Company (1900-1960s).
• Photograph: Weehawken Fire Engine

  Black and white photo of an early fire engine marked "Weehawken F.D." According to retired NHRFR Captain Willie Demontreux: The photo shows the engine from Jane street of the Palisades Hose Company 2 or just the Weehawken Fire Department after 1926. The rig is on Hackensack Plank Road behind the Blickman Co, (now Gregory Commons Condominium.) The large hose in the street is either a feed for a working fire, or laid down for hose test, hose testing was done on that road because the hose was drained easily thanks to gravity. Visible on the rig are the following: 2 hard suction hoses for drafting from river hose reel, usually one inch extinguisher straight nozzle 2 1/2 inch hose adapters 2 gates for water discharge on driver side bell Flood light mounted by windshield Rolled hose on back step (again from a job or hose testing) The rear wheel shows the chain drive, and a big no no, the wheels were not chocked, and the front wheels were not curbed.... The back of this photo is stamped "B.J. Stevens - 164 Seaview Ave., Jersey City 5, NJ."
• 1937 Drug Co Fire Newsreel Stills

  On September 15, 1937, an electrical accident at the S.B. Penick and Company mixing plant sparked a major fire, visible for miles around. More than 100 employees were evacuated with 20 injuries reported and 600 students at PS 1 (the Lincoln School) were evacuated as well. These images are from a contemporary Universal Newsreel. The description of the story reads: BLAST, FIRE TRAP 100 GIRLS, WEEHAWKEN, N.J. -- A terrific explosion, followed by flames which engulf a drug manufacturing plant, menaces the lives of 100 girls at work in the building. Frantic rescue efforts save all of the girls, but 20 of them are seriously hurt.
• Clifton Bluff showing Clifton Hose Co.'s Headquarters, Weehawken, NJ

  Hand colored photo postcard of the Clifton Hose Company headquarters perched atop the Palisades at the site of today's Old Glory Park. Postmarked August 8, 1908 from Jersey City.
• Weehawken Fire Department Patch

  Insignia of the Weehawken Fire Department before it was absorbed into the North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue in 1999.
• Weehawken Signal Bureau Patch

  Patch from the Weehawken Signal Bureau - Police and Fire. Thanks to Tom Cheplic and Jeff Welz for solving this mystery - this patch is from the 1970s and was issued to the folks who ran emergency communications and traffic signals.
• Constitution and Bylaws of Baldwin Hose Company # 1

  The rule book of a Weehawken volunteer fire company from 1905. This is an unmarked small black book, 24 pages long.
• Highwood Fire Co's Headquarters, Highwood Park, Weehawken, NJ

  Hand colored photo postcard of the Headquarters of the Highwood Fire Company No. 4 at 52 Duer Place. Postmarked April 9, 1910 from Hoboken.
• West Hoboken Fireman Badge

  Silver badge (number 51) from the West Hoboken, NJ Fire Department.
• Photos of a fire at S.B. Penick Drug Company in Weehawken - September 1937

  Black and white photos of firefighters battling the fire which occurred on September 15, 1937, at the site of the S. P. Penick Drug Co., 1819 Willow Avenue. It has been recorded that it was the worst fire in Weehawken history. It even was noted nationally - see below: 9/15/37(Movie News): LATEST NEWS SNAPSHOTS. Sub. 1 - SPECTACULAR BLAZE SEEN FROM SKYSCRAPER -- Huge chemical plant blows up at Weehawken, New Jersey, facing the New York skyline across the Hudson. The front photo was taken from a building on the Northwest corner of Willow Ave and 19th Street. The other side photo was taken from the East side of the Park Ave Viaduct. More specifically, between the viaduct and the nearby railroad tracks. Many thanks to Bernard Zempolich for the information on these photos.
• Weehawken NJ Exempt Fireman Badge

  Small metal and enamel badge from the Weehawken Fire Department.
• North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue Patch

  Patch of the insignia of the merged North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue, which absorbed the Weehawken Fire Department in 1999.
• Photograph of the men of the Highwood Fire Company

  Beautifully posed black and white 1912 photo of the Highwood Hose Company No. 4 in front of their headquarters at 52 Duer Place. The company was formed in 1900 and remained in service through the early 1960s. The original bell from the tower is now installed near the Soldiers and Sailors Monument on Boulevard East. From the collection of the Weehawken Historical Commission.
• Clifton Hose Co. Weehawken, NJ

  A black and white photo postcard showing the valiant men and horses of the Clifton Hose Company No. 3, founded in 1887. The firehouse was located on Boulevard East, on the site of today's Old Glory Park. Postmarked June 12, 1915.