With no water system, early firefighting consisted of helpful neighbors who quickly brought shovels and axes and formed bucket brigades to bring well water. On Christmas morning 1909, two buildings on Myrtle Avenue, one owned by Max Scholz and the other by William J. Kornhoff, burned to the ground. Over the coming weeks, residents met to establish Allendale’s fire department. By early 1910, a constitution for the fire department was drafted, and its first fire vehicle was ordered. It was a horse-drawn Seagrave ladder truck, which was stored in Valentine Braun’s barn by the Allendale Hotel. Large circular rails were strategically placed throughout the borough that could be rung when the fire department was needed. The metal rails were hit according to a code to identify the location of the fire. When marching in local parades, Allendale firemen would often wear white suits and hats, resulting in their renown as the “Silk Stocking Boys.” On April 5, 1913, on property provided by the Yeomans family, the laying of the cornerstone of the new firehouse at Erie Station was celebrated. The firehouse was also used for mayor and council meetings and for various community events. On March 7, 1963, boys smoking in the second-floor community room of the firehouse accidentally started a fire, resulting in its destruction from smoke and water. A new firehouse was dedicated at the same location on May 30, 1964. On Memorial Day 2018, the firehouse was dedicated in honor of Allendale fire chief George Higbie.
Images of America: Allendale