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 Photo of the Month

May 2003

Object ID:  1976.075

Photographer:  Unknown

Date:  ca. 1938

Informal portrait of Eagle Matt Lee Fire Company Number 1 band in front of their firehouse on Bath Street in Ballston Spa. 

The first fire company in Ballston Spa, Fire Engine Company #1, was organized on August 15, 1818, and their firehouse was located on the southwest corner of Bath and Walnut Streets.  In 1845 they moved to another location on Front Street, and in 1867 the firehouse pictured was built.  In 1980 the fire company moved to their current home on Bath and Washington Streets and the firehouse pictured is now the home of the Ballston Spa Police Department and Village Court.

Over the years Ballston Spa has been home to a number of fire companies, some of which were made redundant and some of which merged into larger companies.  Fire Engine Company #1 was the first fire company in the Village and is still in existence.  By 1843 the name had changed to Eagle Fire Company No. 1, which used a state-of-the-art (at the time) hand engine made by Button & Company of Waterford, NY.  On July 11, 1868 the J.A. Hovey Hook & Ladder Co., No. 1 was organized, and in 1887 they changed their name to Matt Lee Hook & Ladder Co., No. 1.  Changing needs and technologies over the years contributed to redundancies and mergers as hydrants were first installed in the Village in 1870, making hand engines unnecessary except on higher ground.  In 1900 the entire Village was hooked into the main water system and hand engines were no longer needed.  Engine companies and hook and ladder companies merged so that all fire-fighting needs could be met by one company, and in 1933 the Eagle Fire Company No. 1 and Matt Lee Hook & Ladder Co., No. 1 merged to become Eagle Matt Lee Fire Co., No. 1.  Today, Ballston Spa is served by two fine fire companies and a corps of loyal firefighters, many of whom are volunteer.  

Gift of Steven Prock

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