Relief Truck and Engine Co. #1 Collection (MS130)

The Relief Truck and Engine Company #1 began January 23rd, 1788 as a volunteer fire department of around 30 members. The Company bought it's first engine in 1794 from Philadelphia, which required a "station" to keep it. Before this time, the company had no headquarters but met at local taverns and meeting halls. The station was built on land given to it by First Presbyterian Church. By 1800, the company was expanded to include nearly sixty two volunteers. By 1806, the old engine was showing its age and a new one was procured from Philadelphia. In 1836, the company built a new house on a plot of land given by the 2nd Presbyterian Church, on the east side of S. Fairfax st. between Prince and Duke. In the 1950's, the church wished to use the land, and the company moved to Prince st. between Fairfax and Royal St. By this time the company was made up of 80 members and owned two engines and 500 feet of hose. The engines were named "Relief" and "Washington." During the Civil War, the engine company was taken over by the federal military. The engines were not taken care of, and in some cases destroyed by the federal troops, so that by the end of the war the Relief Company was in shambles. However, by 1867 the company received a new truck (a hook and ladder truck), a new name (The Relief Hook and Ladder Company of the Alexandria Fire Department), and a new home (the Star Engine House on South St. Asaph st.). The Company moved back to its previous location in 1874. In 1915, the Company moved to its final location, a new building on 313, 315, and 317 Prince st. In 1919, the name changed again to the "Relief Truck and Engine Company #1." By 1954, the Companies members totaled 143.