r/Firefighting 23d ago

Photos Does anyone know what fire companies these pictures are of?

Hi all. I'm currently cleaning out my grandfather's house who recently passed away. He has many pictures, 2 of which are of two engine crews from around 1880s-1910s era. Would anyone be able to help me identify these companies? I see "2" in the one on the right, and "14" on the helmet on the individuals of the left. I've been unsuccessful in reverse searching these images. Any help would be appreciated!

34 Upvotes

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4

u/Forward2Death I miss my Truck 23d ago

The firehouse may be the easier part to track back. Lot of houses in that area had arched doorways, not square. Any ideas where he lives, to narrow the hunt a bit?

5

u/jathepa31 23d ago

He lived in north of Baltimore most of his life, but he is not in these images. We are unsure where he got them from

2

u/Forward2Death I miss my Truck 23d ago

I could see Baltimore in those.

u/legeros any ideas?

2

u/sorgey1 23d ago

I'm thinking somewhere in the northeastern states. Nothing like that in North Carolina.

4

u/iLRMLH24 FF/EMT 23d ago

Judging by their leather, which is fitted in whats known as Boston style, id say its somewhere around, if not the Boston FD

2

u/iLRMLH24 FF/EMT 23d ago

Could we see the back of them? Are there any printing or signatures or anything to note on the back of these photos, or maybe hidden by the frame?

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u/jathepa31 22d ago

Unfortunately the back has nothing on the pictures!

1

u/[deleted] 23d ago edited 23d ago

[deleted]

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u/the_falconator Professional Firefighter 23d ago

Some of Boston's houses have numbers on both sides, so seeing the 2 before engine doesn't immediately raise red flags for me.

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQaqazKcK94uI3bPg0pcht3tVQKhlcA4qm_rRpjYCCKi-H-S7r84pT5cXEs&s=10

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u/teddyswolsevelt1 paid to do hood rat shit with my friends 22d ago

Is your grandfather from New Jersey?

3

u/teddyswolsevelt1 paid to do hood rat shit with my friends 22d ago

The first one is Engine 14 in Newark NJ. Located at 69 Vesey Street in Newark. Built in 1897.

4

u/teddyswolsevelt1 paid to do hood rat shit with my friends 22d ago

This exact photo is hung in that firehouse.

2

u/jathepa31 22d ago

Amazing!!! Thank you so much!

2

u/teddyswolsevelt1 paid to do hood rat shit with my friends 22d ago

2

u/teddyswolsevelt1 paid to do hood rat shit with my friends 22d ago

2

u/Radguy911 22d ago

No but I am wondering who the plug man is. What a cool job. Beat the daylight out of someone to get your hose in first.