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Fire Company Invitation
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Embossed invitation to the fourth masquerade ball of the Madison Fire Engine Company #2. The invitation depicts a fire fighter on a ladder carrying a woman on his arm. He holds a fire trumpet. Behind him a man lies unconscious in the rubble. At the bottom and sides of the invitation are axes, a fire fighters helmet, a bell, and water hoses. During their early years as ethnically based volunteer organizations, Madison's fire companies served social and business purposes as well as fighting fires.
February 4, 1864
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W012FWS
WHi 23407
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Invitation to Fourth Annual Ball
1876
Invitation to the annual ball at Turner Hall, sponsored by Madison's Andrew Proudfit Steam Fire Engine Company #2. The company, which was organized in 1870, was drawn entirely from Madison's German...
Madison Fire Department Opening Announcement
May 14, 1886
Printed announcement of the opening of the Madison Fire Department. At the top, in a circular frame, is a fire fighter driving a horse-drawn fire engine. Behind him people peer out of windows in a ...
Fire Company Wagon
1868
The first ladder wagon of Capitol Hook and Ladder Company #1 posed at the corner of Pinckney and Main streets to show off the length of the wagon and the 48-foot ladders. Four men were required to ...
International Fire Trucks
1934
Front cover of an advertising brochure for the 1934 line of International fire trucks, featuring an illustration of fire fighters climbing up a ladder, with their International truck below.
Ladder Wagon Racing to Fire
1895
A ladder wagon of the Madison Fire Department races around corner of North Pinckney and East Main streets.
Madison's Old Central Fire Station, 1881-1904
1902
Madison's old Central Fire Station (1881-1904), 10 South Webster Street, with two ladder wagons pictured in front of the station. The wagon on the left is the William H. Rogers Hook & Ladder Compan...
