Goodwill Fire Company #1, York Township, PA

THE BEGINNING

February 10, 1913, a group of citizens from Spry met in the Old School to discuss the organizing of a Fire Company and to obtain the proper equipment for the same. The meeting was organized by electing Samuel F. Kreidler as President, John A. Keech as secretary, and Franklin R. Sprenkle as treasurer. Mr. Faust of the York Manufacturing Company Fire Department and Mr. Waltman of York were also present and addressed the meeting.The President appointed AJ Spahr, Elmer Markey, and John Sayers to solicit membersfor the new department. On February 17, 1913 a meeting was called to order at the band hall, and it was decided to name the company Goodwill Fire Company of Spry. A Constitution and By-Laws were then adopted. ​By March 24, 1913, it was decided to buy a rebuilt Howe machine and 300 feet of cotton hose. The cost of the machine was $600.On March 31, 1913, a charter was applied for and a committee was appointed to purchase ground for a fire hall. The amount in the treasury was $36.31. The first alarm was sounded on April 26, 1913, and the fire was under control when the fire company arrived.On September 13, 1913, the motto "WE STRIVE TO SAVE" was adopted and M.J. Deardorff was elected foreman of the company.On March 9, 1914, a lot was purchased from Charles Ness for the purpose of erecting a fire hall. It was decided to build 18x30 that would be 12 feet high and Wagman Brothers were the low bidders on the brick work. Members were allowed to work out their subscription (membership) at $.14 per hour. The cost of building was $624.45, including the cost of a bell at $34.15. The first meeting held in the new building was July 6, 1914. The first time the bell rang was for a chimney fire at the home of Barbara Hovis.Then, September 5, 1927, a contract was awarded to C.F. Deller for a new fire hall at a cost of $8,150.00. This was the fire hall located at 2422 South Queen Street (1 block south of the current building). The two story building maintained an apparatus room on the main floor with a meeting room upstairs. The first piece of equipment housed in the new building was a 1929 Chevy Hand Pumper which was horse drawn until 1930. On, March 23, 1931, a Fireman's Relief Organization was formed.