BRONX SCENE
Engine 61, formed in 1896, has rich history
The anniversary of the World
Trade Center disaster brought to
mind the many brave fi refi ghters who
lost their lives on that fateful day. We
were all watching, hoping and praying
as we witnessed the fl ames and
collapse. We couldn’t believe that it
was all in real time. While it was unfolding,
we were thinking about all
those we knew who were or could actually
be at the scene.
Thus it is that I was reminded of a
missive I received from Mike Bosak a
number of years ago on fi remen and
the history of Engine 61. He had consulted
with Mike Boucher, an expert
on the fi re company and they had
some fascinating details to share.
What I found most interesting is that
after that section of our borough east
of the Bronx River was annexed from
Westchester County to New York
City in 1895, many of the old volunteer
companies began to be replaced
by New York City personnel.
Engine 61 began service to the
area on February 1, 1896 working out
of the club stable of the Morris Park
Race Track east of Bronxdale Avenue
and north of the railroad tracks.
They were provided with a chemical
wagon with a 60-gallon tank, a hose
wagon, and a 40’ ladder truck. Naturally,
they were all run by horsepower.
They were temporarily relocated
to Bowne Square at Main and
Thomas Streets, where a White Castle
sits today west of Lehman High
School, on May 11, 1896. Things did
not work out too well at the old volunteer
fi re company because the stable
was much too small for their equipment.
So they moved across the street
to the Clara Butler Stables fi ve days
Please join us for the
BRONX YMCA
SUMMER BBQ & TWILIGHT GOLF
FUNDRAISER
BRONX TIMES R 64 EPORTER, JUNE 7-13, 2019 BTR
Engine Company 61 was established in 1896 and has been at this Williamsbridge Road location
later where the stables were much
larger. Then on July 16, 1896 they returned
to the club stable at the Morris
Park Race Track where, four days
later, they were re-organized into a
combination company housing both
an engine company and a hook and
ladder company. The stables were expanded
in their absence to facilitate
their return but they were barely adequate.
Then on September 7, 1904 they
moved to their new quarters at 1518
Williamsbridge Road where they remained
until January 30, 1929. The
old fi rehouse there was then razed
and they were temporarily moved to
Engine 64 on Castle Hill Avenue. The
new fi rehouse that occupies the Williamsbridge
Road site to this day was
completed and ready for their return
on December 4, 1929.
The building remains to this day
but Engine 61 was re-organized into
Squad 61 on July 1, 1998 when the
need to increase its hazardous materials
response became more apparent
to the FDNY. Engine 61 became
a squad company under the Special
Operations Command.
It’s still housed at the Williamsbridge
Road house west of Westchester
Square, but their responsibilities
have increased to include response
to hazardous material fi res, rescue
operations and other specialties. Engine
61 lost some good men over the
years but the countless lives they
saved make them very special in the
eyes of those they rescued. Thank
a fi reman the next time you have a
chance to speak with one.
since December 4, 1929.
REPRINTED FROM 9-16-2010
Thursday, July 11, 2019
Pelham Bay & Split Rock Golf Courses
Golfers can play 9 holes – Start @ 4:00 pm
OR play 5 holes – Start @ 5:00
Golfers will enjoy snacks on the course and BBQ afterwards – beer and wine included.
SUMMER BBQ FOR NON-GOLFERS
Come to the BBQ and enjoy
Good Food, Fun & Friendship
BBQ begins at 6:30 pm
For more information or sponsorship opportunities,
please contact Sharlene Brown at sbrown@ymcanyc.org
Sponsored By
S GOLF
$125
BBQ ONLY
RAFFLE
PRIZES
THE BRONX TIMES REPORTER V.I.M.
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