First in Traditional Cache
Hidden : 2/21/2009
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: micro (micro)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works
Looking for a different adventure?

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

This is a nice park and grab located at the Woodstock Fire Department Co. 1 firehouse. There is only room for the log book and you should bring your own pen.

Woodstock was settled in 1787 as a farming village. The town later saw a change to industry and in 1906 was in the middle of progressing to what it is now, a community driven by tourism and a place for people to come to get away from the busy city life. From the very beginning until 1906, Woodstock had very little for fire protection. This all changed on August 29th 1906. This was the day fire broke out in the church barn and with no fire department the building burned to the ground. This fire lead to a call for some sort of fire protection in the town. A special meeting was held at the town hall to discuss the fire and what to do about it. After this meeting and several other meetings in private homes and saloons across town the Woodstock Fire Department was born.

On October 29th, 1906 the first official meeting of the Woodstock Fire Department was held in the back room of Beekman’s store. On that night the constitution for the department was drafted and the first department officers were elected. George M. Beekman was elected as the department’s first president. Byron Snyder was elected as secretary and Henery Peper was elected to the treasurers position. As time progressed the severe need of equipment was finally realized.

On April 4th 1910 the department purchased its first pieces of apparatus, a hand pumper and a hose cart. After purchasing the equipment it was realized that there was no place to store it. After much discussion, plans to build a new fireman’s hall were finalized in March of 1911. This building stood until 1937 when the brick building that housed the Fire department until 2001 was built.

Almost ten years after the purchase of the hand pumper the department sought to motorize its fleet. In 1921 the Woodstock Fire Department purchased its first motorized apparatus. The truck was built on a Ford Model T chassis and featured a Howe piston pump and hose body. In May of 1925 the Woodstock Fire District was created. On May 26th 1925 an election was held to name the first five commissioners. During this time the Woodstock Fire Department not only covered Woodstock but provided fire protection for West Hurley, Olive and parts of Shokan.

As time progressed the town of Woodstock grew and so did the fire department. In June of 1951 Woodstock Co. 2 was formed. This station is located in Wittenberg. Then Co.3, located in Lake Hill, was formed in 1955. A fourth company, Co. 4, was added in the Zena section of town in 1956. A Christmas day fire in 1959 marked the first time all four fire companies were called to the same call. 1974 brought about the birth of Co. 5, the Woodstock Rescue Squad. Before this time it would routinely take 20-30 minutes for an ambulance to arrive from Kingston. Over the next 27 years the department provided dedicated public service to the residents of Woodstock.

As the 90s drew to a close it was once again realized that the Co. 1 building was woefully inadequate for today’s modern apparatus and department needs. Planning commenced on a new building. Beginning in late summer of 2000 members began clearing trees from the recently purchased land. Building commenced in the fall and the move to the building was made in the fall of 2001. The very first call run out of the new building was a brush fire in the Lake Hill area. Today the Members of Co.1 spend countless hours training and keeping equipment in order so that they can continually serve the Town of Woodstock.

Rate This Cache - (visit link)
How Have Geocachers Rated This Cache - (visit link)

Congratulations to Lilitchpin on the FTF on February 25, 2009.

Additional Hints (No hints available.)



Advertising with Us