Springtown - Station 40

On looking out their window they found that the wash house of Ruben Fackenthell, near Stoneback’s store, was burning. Calling the Hellertown and Riegelsville Fire Departments the fire was soon extinguished, but not without the total loss of the wash house.

A few days later, a group of townspeople held a meeting for the purpose of discussing the fire protection. A week later another meeting was held which was attended by Ramond Strunk, the present fire marshal of Bucks County and Chief of Quakertown Fire Company. Mr. Strunk stated the proper thing to do was to organize a fire company. It was decided to notify the Hellertown, Richlandtown and Quakertown Fire Departments for a demonstration before next week before the meeting.

In March 1939, the company purchased a lot and barn at the western end of the town from Walter Cawley for the sum of $300. On January 30, 1941, the town was again awakened to the call of fire. This time the store and dwelling of J. Harold Stoneback was in flames. The building was completed destroyed. Interest which was lagging in the fire company suddenly came to life.

On May 16, 1942, at meeting in the grange hall, the company decided to purchase a Hale pumper, fully equipped for $4500. From finances the company had been having bingo and drawings for the last few years. These have netted the company a nice sum which was used for equipment. During World War II with most of the young men in the services, the fire company was part of civil defense. After the war with the men coming back activities again were started with the goal of eventually having a social headquarters.

In October of 1951 the trustees were given permission to buy the former Peter Snyder Farm which consisted of approximately 18 acres. There was enough land to hold carnivals and other recreational activities. On May 7, 1952, the social quarters of the Springtown Fire Company were opened. In 1972 the social quarters was sold to the Silver Creek Athletic Association and the lad was purchased for the new firehouse, the present Station 40. The old statation was sold to Donald Broadhecker and still stands today just east of the present station.

From two fire brigades in Springtown in the late 1800’s; one at each end of what was a bustling canning community. With the first motorized apparatus purchased in 1941, was the Hahn built in Conshohocken PA on a Chevy chassis with a 500 gpm pump. Today the company still operates in the building built in 1972 which has grown into a three bay station. Meeting room, office and the community hall complex, all built by volunteers with 6 pieces of apparatus.