<p>The creation of the Seattle Fire Department (SFD) can be traced back to July 6th, 1876, when the all-volunteer Seattle Engine Company No.1 was organized. In 1883, the City Charter was amended to create and fund equipment, but not staff, for a centralized municipal fire department. The volunteer-based system persisted until pressure from the insurance industry and citizens after the Great Seattle Fire of 1889 forced the city council to reform Seattle's seven volunteer companies into a paid, professional unit of 32 men organized into five district fire stations.
The photo collage pictured here includes studio portraits of Seattle's firefighters, as well as pictures of the SFD hose wagons, engine teams, firehouses, and the fire boat Snoqualmie. </p>
<p>Individuals identifed in image, left to right, top to bottom: J. G. Nehrbas; A. Foster; H. E. Ross; J. Murphy, Drvr; F. W. Braun; J. V. Wyckoff; Geo Maggs; J. D. Philips, Drvr; C. E. Brabon, Engr; H. T. Koch; Hans Veldey, Drvr; Robt. Norris; J. N. Longfellow; R. C. Johnston, E. De Beauleaux; F. Brooks, Drvr; T. W. Blaker, H. B. Williams, Sec; J. Latham; R. Cook, Asst. Chief; Wm Cubitt; A. C. Christensen; H.W. Jones, Drvr; O. A. Drew, Engr; A. Olliver, Drvr; T. E. Nunan; F. M. Collins, Engr; J.W. Hoey; Wm Winingham; S. H. Horne, G. Kellogg, Chief; L. J. Stevens; Chas. Kirk; W. H. Clark; J. J. Lynch, Engr; D. H. McInnis; R. Oleson; C. C. Graham; W. S. Hubbard, Drvr; W. J. Carr; W. H. Westedt; J. H. Wallace, Drvr; J. E. Moss, Drvr; F. B. Smith, Engr; D. Keane, Drvr; S. C. Hastings; E. R. Snow; J. W. Hodder; J. J. Spaight, Drvr; Geo. Brooks; G. M. Mantor; G. Marlow; J. Doran, Drvr; E. E. Hergert; J. W. Green, Drvr; W. G. Champion; D. Cook; A. E. Braymer; M. Bresnehan, Drvr; M. Mayouck; J. C. Murphy, Drvr; G. C. Spaulding, Pilot; E. Libby, Pilot; J. R. Drury, Chief Engr; W. W. Gates, Asst. Engr; J. Dunham; M. W. Cox; A. R. Pinkney, Electrician; J. H. Boyle, Drvr; W. H. Seeman; M. Schoonover, Drvr; H. C. McDonald, Engr; M. Flanagan, Drvr; J. W. Elliott; W. Wallace; J. W. Hulen.<br><br>Captioned photos, left to right, top to bottom: Engine Co. No. 9; Chemical No. 2; Truck Co. No. 3; Hose Wagon No. 4; Engine Co. No. 4; Supply Wagon; Engine No. 4; Chief's Buggy; Headquarters; Asst. Chief's Buggy; Hose Wagon No. 9; Engine No. 4; Truck Co. No. 1; Engine Co. No. 3; Engine Co. No. 2; Engine No. 3; Engine No. 2; Chemical No. 3; Hose Wagon No. 3; Truck Co. No. 2; Hose Wagon No. 1; Hose Wagon No. 2; Hose Wagon No. 6; Engine No. 6; Fire Boat "Snoqualmie"; Chemical No. 1; Hose Wagon No. 5; Engine Co. No. 6; Chemical Co. No. 2

Printed at the bottom: Copyrighted Oct 1898 by M. E. Charleston, Group Photographer, 1898 Seattle Fire Department

Caption information source: "Seattle Fire Department is created on October 17, 1889," by Alan J. Stein, HistoryLink.org Essay 3938<br>Caption information source: <a rel="nofollow" class="external free" href="https://pauldorpat.com/2014/01/19/seattle-now-then-the-first-fire-department-hq">https://pauldorpat.com/2014/01/19/seattle-now-then-the-first-fire-department-hq</a></p>
<ul><li>Subjects (LCTGM): Fire engines--Washington (State)--Seattle; Fire fighters--Washington (State)--Seattle; Fire stations--Washington (State)--Seattle; Seattle (Wash.). Fire Department</li></ul>
Charleston, Mace E.
1898<div style="display: none;">date QS:P571,+1898-00-00T00:00:00Z/9</div>
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://digitalcollections.lib.washington.edu/digital/collection/imlsmohai/search">Museum of History and Industry</a>