From a Facebook Post by Rosa Fox - on April 29, 2022 celebrating 

April 29, 1889

The Williamson Fire Company No. 1 is Established.

Preceded by Palmyra (1828), Lyons (1831), Newark (1859), Clyde (1869), Wolcott (1884), and Savannah (1887), in 1889, “The Williamson Fire Company No. 1” became the seventh fire department in Wayne County. The Williamson Fire Company No. 1 voted to incorporate in October of 1889, however, was not legally incorporated until 1907.

The village of Williamson did not have a water system with fire hydrants until 1914. Prior to that, in 1902, small water reservoirs were built around town. There may have been around five of these reservoirs. Main Street was paved in 1902. With that village improvement, it was requested to leave openings in the pavement so that, in the event of fire, water could be drawn from the creek that ran under Main Street next to the fire station.  

In 1904, Williamson was instrumental in forming the Lake Shore Volunteer Fireman’s association (LSVFA), advocating for and being a charter member of the organization.  Fire departments along the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg Railroad were eligible to be members.  Williamson hosted the first LSVFA field days, which included a parade, ball games, and other types of entertainment.

Up until first fire bell was purchased in 1898, the notice for fire alarm was sounded by way of the Methodist or Presbyterian church bells. That first bell, owned by the firemen, cracked on its first use - so church bells rang again for fire alarm until 1901, when the firemen purchased a new bell. This bell sat atop the fire station until 1934 when the station was torn down. It was placed behind the -then- new station on the ground. In 1978, with construction of a new fire station at 6286 State Route 21, the bell was hung alongside the station’s sign at the front of the firehouse. 

Progressing from hand drawn engines to horse drawn steam pumpers, in 1906, the company operated a horse drawn gas engine pumper which lasted in use until 1912 before being replaced. By 1916, with the automobile now making a grand appearance, Williamson attained the distinction of being the first fire company in Wayne County to have an “automobile fire truck.”  

Congratulations to The Williamson Fire Company No. 1 for its 133 years of dedication to serving its community and a healthy history of firsts and many other stories! 

Thank you to Williamson Historian, Perry Howland for sharing the history and images for this post!