In order to chronicle the history of the Canoga Fire Department, it is important to give a brief background of Canoga as a village.
At one time Canoga was called "sweet water" and "place of floating oil" Canoga is the birthplace of the famous Seneca Indian chief and orator Red Jacket, Red Jacket was born in the indian town of Skannayutenate, east of Canoga Creek, circa 1755. Canoga Landing was the site of an indian village that was destroyed by the Sullivan campaign in 1779. The earliest pioneer on the Canoga reservation was Michael Vreeland.
The first settler in the village of Canoga was James Kilpatrick. Some of the earliest businesses in Canoga included a distillery and a licensed inn owned by Benajah Boardman in the late 1700's early 1800's. Samuel Williams built the first frame building in Canoga, using it as a store and dwelling, and Dr. Davis built the first hotel. The first merchants were Samuel and John Williams. Eventually, there was a school house, a couple of stores, several churches and a post office.
The village had law enforcement from as early as 1798. Some of the first magistrates were Israel Catlin, Hugh McAllister, Martin Kendig, Benj. Hendricks and Benajah Boardman. James Clark were among the first deaths in Canoga. Charles Conner and
The first fatal fire in Canoga was in 1815. while attempting to rescue his small child from a house fire. Both father and child perished.
Canoga was once the largest village in Seneca County. In 1929, the State Highway Department proposed the first highway through Canoga, extending from US route 20 to just south of Canoga. This was intended to link all the state parks and to provide a thorough fare for the tourists.
Because Canoga was growing and had no fire department. Canoga had to depend on the Red Jacket, Fayette and Seneca Falls Fire Departments for protection.
The community had experienced the loss of a church, dwellings and human lives. Its citizens in the past tried to establish a fire department in Canoga but somehow it did not materialize until the year 1.947, when Mr. Jesse Abbott and Mr, Lester Fillingham, firemen employed at Seneca Ordnance, realized fully the lack of protection. Because of their wide experience and sincere desire for fire protection in the community, Mr. Fillingham and Mr. Abbott advanced their own personal funds of $86 to buy 400 ft of 2 1/2 inch (Govt Surplus O.C.D.) hose with nozzle, and 600 ft of 1 1/2 inch hose bought from the Watertown Electric Company.
They borrowed a hose cart from Waterloo Fire Dept. to use for demonstrations proposed in laying hose from local hydrants. Community interest was awakened and a meeting was called at the Community House consisting of the citizens of Canoga and the surrounding territory to consider the advisability of establishing a fire district and fire department in Canoga.
Attorney Henry Koch of Seneca Falls acted as legal adviser. Donald Xuney was appointed chairman and Charles Heywood, secretary of the meeting. Mr. E.B. Bishop Sr., Jesse Abbott, Stanley Reigle and Myron Cosad were appointed as committee-men to ascertain the cost of financing these projects.
Lester Fillingham, Robert Glanville and Bower Newell were appointed as committee-men to determine the extent of the boundary lines of the proposed Fire District . A water district was set up to represent Canoga with four hydrants at $25 per year. This district assumed the responsibility for these hydrants. Officers were elected to serve one-two-three-years, called Water Commissioners. The first Officers were: Chief, Jesse Abbott; Asst. Chief E.B. Bishop, Jr.; Ist Asst. Chief, Lloyd Russell; 2nd Asst. Chief Clinton Miles,; with Sargent Miller as Secretary, and Charles Amidon, Treasurer.
In June of that year, 26 women met at the Community House to organize a Ladies Auxiliary. The first officers were: President, Marian Slover; Vice-President, Helen Heywood; Secretary, Dorothy Kuney; and Treasurer, Rose Abbott.
On June 9, 1947
A committee was appointed to select a lot in the community for the establishment of the Fire Dept. Clinton Miles, acting chairman repor_ted that Mrs. Susie Koster had donated a lot, located between the church and town hall.
After careful consideration, the members decided that perhaps in the future, we might have to expand, so the lot committee sought further. This offer from Mrs. Koster was graciously appreciated.
On August 11, 1947
After two months of careful searching, the committee presented an oral report of inspection of the Frantz lot, as a possible site for the building of a fire-house. Motion was made and carried to empower Harold Peterman and Ted Slover to buy the Frantz lot, 125 ft by 400 ft for the total purchase price of Three Hundred Dollars.
On September 8, 1947
Attorney Henry Koch presented both search and deed to the members at the meeting and then left with Charles Amidon, treasurer, to close the lot deal and pay the balance in full due on the lot.
The Canoga Fire Department took official title to the Frantz lot as of September 8, 1947.
James Swan, architect, spoke on necessary size of building and suggested that building committee visit other fire department for general information.
Lawrence Parker,building chairman, and his committee-men E.B. Bishop, Jr. Harold Peterman, Robert Burlew and Ted Slover had spent several weeks looking at other fire department buildings under construction to determine building layout, and material to be used. Final plans were drawn for a cement block building, (25' x 45') with over head doors, steel windows, the front to be faced with brick. Toilets and heating plant space in the rear. Committee estimate presented by James Swan that it would take 700 to 1000 man hours to erect a 30' x 40' one story concrete building exclusive of time needed to prepare lot. E.B. Bishop Sr., suggested that the committee meet to formulate cost of material for building.
James Swan was accepted verbally to work with committee. He helped to estimate cost of labor and material, and also drew up the plans for the building.
Now with the land purchased work began immediately on the first two bays.The task to clean the lot was no easy one because of heavy undergrowth. Digging for the foundation was another task, because it was started during the hot month of August, and not too many volunteers responded.
The foot or foundation is two feet wide, concrete reinforced with iron rods, below the frostline.
A mason was hired to lay building blocks for not more than $450. The mason failed his contract, and Chief Abbott and his men worked earnestly to lay the wall up to the plate before winter set in. Spring brought renewed efforts to complete the building left dormant all winter. A contract wasmade to have the front laid up with brick facing. The roof was put on by departmental assistance. Laying of floor was done by contract. Labor for electric wiring was donated by Elmer Stryker while E.B. Bishop Jr. installed heating equipment at cost and donated his labor. Plumbing was done by E.B. Bishop, Jr. on contract.
Honorable mention is due to men like Jesse Abbott, Lester Fillingham and Lawrence Parker who worked day after day until the final completion of the building, to James Swan for his painstaking detail in the planning of the structure and the general material requi rement s for the building , and with deepest appreciation to the many faithful members whose time and efforts are evident in our present Fire Equipment Building Today.
In just about one year and one month Canoga residents realized a modern Fire Department ready for dedication in May 1948 by Attorney Henry Koch.
They were proud to proclaim that to achieve this aim they were united together in hard work of planning, financial aid, both mental and physical labor in the fulfillment of their Volunteer Fire Department.
In 1947 a decision was made to represent the fire department in parades. Marching units were set up for the fire department and auxiliary. These marching units had many practices and because of their diligence they won many awards, which included money and trophies, at the various parades.
The first fire truck was in service from August 1947 to January 1951. It was a Sanford built truck made available by the Seneca Falls Fire Department for $1. Thank you Seneca Falls Fire Department!
The first recorded income from sources other than membership, dues and donations was from the sale of scrap on June 9, 1947. It brought in $1.60. The total for the first year in the sale of scrap was $434.70. On June 26, 1947, the first ice cream festival was held. The auxiliary was in charge of a subscription campaign. There was also the first annual Harvest Festival, a turkey raffle and a Minstrel show all in that first year.
As the years went on, many other event s contributed to the financial support of the Canoga Volunteer Fire Department. Many types of raffles were held: 50/50. television sets merchandise and gift, certificates. Food has always been a ma7or fund raiser, including bullhead suppers, chicken barbecues and pancake breakfasts. Because of this financial support the department was able to put into service the following:
In 1948 the department purchased a portable pump, fire alarm siren and new fire hose.The first new truck- a Sanford-built 500 gallon pumper waspurchased in 1950, replacing a hose cart and the old Sanford pumper purchased from the village of Seneca Falls.
In May of 1954, 93 people assembled at the Canoga Community House to celebrate the burning of the mortgage, after just three years of hard work by our members, in cooperation with people in the Community and beyond.
Prior to 1960 a new dining hall and kitchen, along with a new outside storage building were built. In 1964 a new cab and chassis was purchased for a tanker. The next major construction project was the addition, in 1973, of 2 more equipment bays to the south side of the original station
In 1975 the Department purchased a 1962 Howe-built pumper, equipped with a 750 gallon pump and a 1250 gallon tank from the South Butler, Pa. Fire Department. Then in 1976 a 1966 Dodge 1 ton pickup was acquired from the Office of Civil Defense excess property program which carried a generator and other small equipment.
At present, the Fire company has in service a 1965 International Tank.er 1500-gallon capacity, a 1975 Ford pumper which pumps 750 gallons per minute, a 1985 rescue truck and a 1996 International Pumper-Tanker which holds and pumps 1250 gallons of water per minute. The fire department also has the Jaws system.
The Fire Department currently has a membership of 20 active members and 20 social members; along with a Ladies Auxiliary of approximately 35 members. Present Fire Company Officials are; Chief, Don Peckham; Asst Chief, Daryl Hurst; Ist Asst. Chief, Nathan Peckham;2nd Asst. Chief, Eugene MaCann; President, Paul Avaduti; Vice President, Greg Zoller; Treasurer, Chris Peckham and Secretary, John R. Hoster.
Continuous training keeps this fire department current in all the latest fire and rescue techniques. In 1947, such things as the jaws of life, SCBA and CPR did not exist as they do today. New equipment and technology continue to propel fire and rescue into the future. Just think of what there could possibly be 50 years from now!
With each generation comes the new energy that is vital to the success and continuation of the fire department and auxiliary.
This History was compiled and written By Barbara Amidon for the 50th anniversary in 1997.