Originally written by Carl White.
Amogerone Fire Bell Memorial
If you’ve ever driven around the rotary at the intersection of Milbank Street, Mason Street, and Fawcett Place, you may have noticed the bell memorial. It’s most visible as you approach Fawcett Place. This is the bell that once sat in the Amogerone Fire Company truck house tower on the west side of Greenwich Avenue. It now serves as a memorial to all the dedicated firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice. It also reminds us of the danger these brave men faced to keep us safe. The Amogerone Fire Bell is a symbol of New England fortitude.
Casting The Amogerone Fire Bell
The bell was cast in solid bronze by Henry McShane and Son of Baltimore MD in 1882. It weighed 1637 pounds and sounded in the key of “F.” Funds for the bell were raised by public subscription (donations), and the cost was $400. According to Greenwich Time, the bell arrived on Monday, February 12, 1883, and was installed in the firehouse on Tuesday, February 13. The bell was stationary and struck by a”clapper” to sound the alarm. It could be heard all through the Burrough. The Amogerone Fire Bell remained in the firehouse until 1935 when it was removed because the walls were beginning to buckle under its weight. It had served the town for over 50 years. The bell was replaced by a fire whistle that operated by water.
The Bell Memorial
In 1951, the Board of Selectmen granted permission for the bell to be used as a memorial to deceased firefighters. The Amogerone Fire Bell was taken and sandblasted, then coated with lacquer. The D’Elia Monument Works Company built a 5-ton granite base to mount the bell. The top diameter was 4 feet 2 inches, while the bottom diameter was 7 feet. Since the bell is 3 feet high, the monument is seven feet tall.
The Firemaen’s Bell Memorial was dedicated on October 7, 1956. The inscription on the bell reads: “Dedicated to the volunteer firemen of the Central Station, Greenwich CT, Amogerone Fire Company No. 1 1879: Volunteer Hose and Chemical Company 1892: The Greenwich Fire Police.”
Brief History of The Amogerone Hook & Ladder Company
Prior to 1878, there was no organized fire department in Greenwich. Volunteers would just show up and organize bucket brigades. As the Town grew, a real need for a fire department was identified. On October 14, 1878, the Board of Burgesses in Greenwich voted to organize a hook and ladder company. Thirty men volunteered to man the company under the leadership of E.C. Benedict. The group selected a site on the side of Greenwich Avenue for a fire engine house. It’s believed the group chose the name Amergerone after one of the Native American Chiefs who signed the deed for Greenwich Point in 1640.
On August 15, 1879, a new hook and ladder truck arrived. It had to be stored in the old Armory Building on the southwest corner of Greenwich Avenue and Elm Street. This was just the start of procuring much-needed modern fire equipment to protect the Town. And it was becoming very clear that more room would be needed as the fire company grew.
Not only did the Amogerone Fire Company provide fire safety, but it also was an integral part of the Greenwich social scene! The Fire Company started a baseball team, which played other organizations and businesses in Town. Bowling alleys were set up in the old truck house, and the public was invited to participate. On June 12, 1909, the Fire Company sponsored a carnival, with a midway, rides, moving pictures, and photographers.
In 1939, the Town opened the Central Fire Station on Havemeyer Place behind the old Town Hall. It resides there today, and just recently underwent extensive rebuilding. The bell memorial stands on the rotary just down the street. It’s a stark reminder of the bravery and dedication of our Greenwich Fire department members.
SOURCE
Greenwich Time; Southwestern Connecticut Newspapers, Stamford CT.
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