HYDE PARK HISTORY BEFORE 1912

This page provides readers with a history of the Town of Hyde Park Fire Department up to January 1, 1912, when Hyde Park was annexed to Boston.

Seal of the Town of Hyde Park. History publication showing the organization of the Hyde Park Fire Department in 1870. Hyde Park Town Register in 1881 lists members of the Fire Department. Headquarters of the Hyde Park Fire Dept. at (present-day) 1249 Hyde Park Ave., circa 1900. 1876 map shows the Hyde Park Fire Dept. Headquarters at (present-day) 1249 Hyde Park Av. Old quarters of Engine 48/Ladder 28 on Winthrop St., Hyde Park, circa 1930. Map showing the location of the old Hyde Park Fire Dept. Headquarters at 30 Winthrop St. The firehouse of Hose Company 49 at Sprague & Readville Sts., Hyde Park, circa 1914. Map showing the location of the old Readville firehouse near the time of annexation.

Date(s) Activity April 22, 1868 The Town of Hyde Park (in Norfolk County) is incorporated. It is comprised of sections of the towns of Dorchester, Milton and Dedham. September 13, 1870 Fire Engineers are appointed. Fire Companies organized. January 15, 1871 3rd Annual Report of the Town of Hyde Park. Report of the Board of Engineers, including establishment, organization, and rules and regulations of the Hyde Park Fire Department. April 9, 1871 A fire occurred at the Union Vise Co. in Hyde Park, causing extensive damage. Newspaper story January 15, 1872 4th Annual Report of the Town of Hyde Park. 2nd Annual Report of the Board of Engineers of the Hyde Park Fire Department. January 15, 1873 5th Annual Report of the Town of Hyde Park. Annual Report of the Board of Engineers of the Hyde Park Fire Department. June 9, 1873 Large fire destroys the R. Bleakie & Co. Woolen-Mills, which employed 400 persons. Newpaper report of the fire. January 15, 1874 6th Annual Report of the Town of Hyde Park. Annual Report of the Board of Engineers of the Hyde Park Fire Department. October 5, 1874 The Neponset Block, housing the Hyde Park Savings Bank, is destroyed by fire. Newspaper article reporting the fire. January 15, 1875 7th Annual Report of the Town of Hyde Park. Report of the Chief Engineer. January 31, 1876 8th Annual Report of the Town of Hyde Park. Report of the Chief Engineer. January 31, 1877 9th Annual Report of the Town of Hyde Park. Report of the Chief Engineer. January 31, 1878 10th Annual Report of the Town of Hyde Park. Report of the Chief Engineer. January 31, 1880 12th Annual Report of the Town of Hyde Park. Report of the Chief Engineer. January 31, 1881 13th Annual Report of the Town of Hyde Park. Report of the Chief Engineer. March 13, 1881 A large fire destroys the Tileston & Hollingsworth paper mill on River Street near Mattapan. The present-day address is 864 River St., near Wood Ave. and an industrial building occupies the site. Newspaper article reporting the fire January 31, 1882 14th Annual Report of the Town of Hyde Park. Report of the Chief Engineer. January 31, 1883 15th Annual Report of the Town of Hyde Park. Report of the Chief Engineer. March 8, 1883 The Town Hall building at River Street and Gordon Avenue is destroyed by fire. Newspaper report of the fire. 1887 Town Officers for the Fire Department. 1887 1887 Hyde Park Annual Report, with Fire Dept. info August 14, 1887 The Greenwood Grammar School is destroyed by fire. April 22 & 23, 1888 The Hyde Park Fire Department participates in a parade celebrating the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Town of Hyde Park. Parade Announcement December 14, 1888 The 'Everett Hall' fire destroys one of Hyde Park's most prominent buildings. It is located at the present-day River & Central streets and Fairmount Ave. Newspaper article reporting the fire 1891 The Insurance Yearbook listing for the Town of Hyde Park: January 31, 1892 24th Annual Report of the Town of Hyde Park. Report of the Chief Engineer. January 31, 1893 25th Annual Report of the Town of Hyde Park. Report of the Chief Engineer. January 31, 1894 26th Annual Report of the Town of Hyde Park. Report of the Chief Engineer. January 31, 1895 27th Annual Report of the Town of Hyde Park. Report of the Chief Engineer. January 31, 1896 28th Annual Report of the Town of Hyde Park. Report of the Chief Engineer. January 31, 1899 31st Annual Report of the Town of Hyde Park. Report of the Chief Engineer. January 31, 1900 32nd Annual Report of the Town of Hyde Park. Report of the Chief Engineer. January 31, 1901 33rd Annual Report of the Town of Hyde Park. Report of the Chief Engineer. January 31, 1902 34th Annual Report of the Town of Hyde Park. Report of the Chief Engineer. January 31, 1903 35th Annual Report of the Town of Hyde Park. Report of the Chief Engineer. January 31, 1904 36th Annual Report of the Town of Hyde Park. Report of the Chief Engineer. January 31, 1905 37th Annual Report of the Town of Hyde Park. Report of the Chief Engineer. January 31, 1906 38th Annual Report of the Town of Hyde Park. Report of the Chief Engineer. August 8, 1906 A new brick Fire Department Headquarters building is under construction at Harvard Av. & Winthrop St. It will replace the old wood Headquarters building on Hyde Park Avenue. June 20, 1907 Dedication of the new brick Fire Department Headquarters building at Harvard Av. & Winthrop St. was held today. Newspaper story. June 28, 1907 The grandstand and bleachers of the Readville Trotting Park were destroyed by fire, causing a loss estimated at $40,000. The Park was located at the end of Clifford St., Readville, and extended into the town of Dedham. Newspaper story. September 14, 1907 Driver Frederick A. Hawley of Hose Company 3, Readville, was killed answering an alarm from Box 351. The team of horses started out of the firehouse before Mr. Hawley had taken his seat. He was dragged some distance from the firehouse and sustained injuries from which he died enroute to the hospital. Newspaper story. December 28, 1911 On the eve of annexation, plans to merge the Hyde Park Fire Department into the Boston Fire Department are announced. - Fire Chief John H. Wetherbee is appointed a Captain in Boston. He will be the Acting District Chief of the Hyde Park District. - Lieutenant Willis P. Whittemore is appointed a Lieutenant in Boston. - Lieutenant James M. Collins, in command of Hose 3, Readville, is appointed a Hoseman in Boston. - Five permanent Hosemen in Hyde Park are appointed Hosemen in Boston. Newspaper article reporting the story January 1, 1912 The Town of Hyde Park (in Norfolk County) is annexed to the City of Boston (in Suffolk County). From the former Hyde Park Fire Department, Boston organized Hose Company 48, Hose Company 49, Chemical Engine Company 14 and Ladder Company 28. (Hose 48 became Engine 48 on February 2, 1912.) To find the historical development of early Hyde Park fire companies, see the chart below. . . . .