The year was 1888 and the Wrightsville Steam Fire Engine & Hose Company No. 1 was going into its 2nd year of service since its organization. With a need for an engine house to keep the Amoskeag steam engine purchased from Columbia in 1887, the citizens of Wrightsville Borough began the stages of building a home for their fire company. The Pennsylvania Railroad owned the lot of land where the engine house was to be built, present day South 2nd Street at Garden Avenue (our current location).

In 1892, as a phase in construction of the 3 story brick facility, the McShane Bell Foundry, located in Baltimore, Maryland, was contacted to manufacture a bell to alert volunteers of instances of fire. Once completed, the 650 pound bell cast of bronze, was transported via rail from Baltimore to Wrightsville. The bell was then placed into the bell tower atop the engine house, over 40 feet above the ground.

For over 50 years, the McShane bell was the primary alerting system for fires. A card was sent out to residents listing phone numbers for townspeople that lived within a short distance of the engine house. If a fire broke out, one would have to call a number listed on the card, and that person would then run to the engine house and hastily ring the bell to alert firemen of the fire. The bell was also rung, but at a slower rate for meetings and other fire company related events. It wasn’t until the late 1940’s that mechanical WWII civil defense sirens were used, but the bell had not yet gone silent. It was often used to report fires that occurred at the town dumps. In 1979 the aging single-bay engine house was razed, at which time the McShane bell was placed into storage.

After 35 years of being silent, we have incorporated the 1892 McShane bell with a new fire department sign. The sign project was funded by a federal grant that we were previously awarded and the bell refurbishment was paid for by the general fund. Earlier this year, we were pleased to find out that the McShane Bell Foundry is still in business, 123 years after making our bell. In March of this year, Chief Livelsberger transported the bell to Glen Burnie, Maryland to have it restored by the manufacturer to its original appearance. Although its original purpose was to alert members of fires, it now serves as a symbol of the pride and dedication of those who served before us. It has also been planned to utilize the bell on special occasions.

Thank you to all of those who made this project possible and a special thanks to those who have served as members of the Wrightsville Steam Fire Engine & Hose Company No. 1.