The Rehoboth Fire Company was organized in 1906 with President Dr. G.H. Riggin; Vice President, F .L. Chase; Treasurer, H. Ralph Dart; Secretary, E.S. Hill; and Chief W.S. Downing. These officers were elected to serve a period of six months.

The Fire Company was re-organized in March 1923 with the following organizers; W. T. Tappen, Dr. W.P. Robinson, R.M. Wingate, Howard Lyell, C.A. Ewing, M.L. Yeager, Harley Paynter, Seton Haynadier, John L. Hudson Jr., Joseph D. McLeak, Robert Yarnel, and George Hunter.

Officers were elected with the following results, President, Harry M. Satterfield; Vice President, E.J. Emmert; Secretary, W.T. Tappen; Treasurer, J.D. McCabe; Chief, E.S. Pettyjohn; and 1st Assistant Chief, J. Fred Hudson. At this time, 31 members were on the roll.

The fire apparatus consisted of a 1923 Model T Ford truck, which was purchased on March 10th, 1923. Additional equipment included a hand pulled chemical apparatus and two hand pulled hose carts. The Ford fire truck was housed in the firehouse (Old Town Hall) located at 43 Rehoboth Avenue. The hand pulled units were housed in a nearby garage.

On March 5th, 1925, a new Reo-4 pumper was purchased with 350 GPM pump from U.S. Fire Apparatus Company of Wilmington, Delaware.

On May 20th, 1925, the present Fire Company was incorporated as the "Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company Inc." In November 1929, the Fire House (Old Town Hall) was turned over to the Fire Company by the town of Rehoboth Beach. Included in this gesture was all furniture and a donation of $998.50 for a (wing) addition to the building, to house equipment.

In November 1929, a new 1929 Reo-6 pumper was purchased with a 500gpm pump and 80 gallon booster tank. The firehouse (Old Town Hall) located at 43 Rehoboth Avenue was moved to the back of the lot and it faced out onto Baltimore Avenue.

On November 5th, 1930, Lots 43 Rehoboth Avenue, and 44 Baltimore Avenue were purchased. In 1931 a new Fire Hall was built, 48' x 132', two stories facing Rehoboth Avenue. The new firehouse cost $11,400.00 with much of the labor and material donated. Upon completion, the new firehouse was valued at $30,000.00. The old firehouse (Old Town Hall) was sold and moved to 1st Street between Olive Avenue and Virginia Avenue.

A new 1937 Ford 500 GPM pumper was received on July 7th, 1937. The unit was equipped with 300 gallon booster tank. This new pumper replaced the 1923 Model T.

Progress continued, in 1942, a new Diamond T, 750 GPM Pumper with a 300 gallon booster tank was added to the fleet.

In 1945, the building at 43 Rehoboth Avenue was sold. First uses included a bowling alley on the first floor and a surf club (teen dances) on the second floor.


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