Fire Department - Part 1

As one of the oldest Fire Departments in Middlesex County, since 1881, the Perth Amboy Fire Department provides fire protection to the citizens, visitors and property of the 4.5 square mile city. As with most of the older cities, Perth Amboy had it fair share of major fires.

The firefighting force consisted of 2 Units, a paid (career) or professional fire company and a

volunteer fire company, this made up the Perth Amboy Fire Department.

At one time, there were 2 Chief Officers of the Fire Department, 1 was a Paid Fire Chief, who oversaw the career firefighters and equipment and a Volunteer Fire Chief, who was responsible for directing all the Firefighters at a scene of a fire or emergency.

At one time there were 7 firehouses throughout the city. The locations were Rector Street, State Street next to PAHS, Grace Avenue, State & Pearl Street, Amboy & Hall Avenues, Wayne Street and Pfeiffer Blvd near Convery. At the present there is only one on New Brunswick Avenue.

From the early 1900's through to 1980's, Perth Amboy Fire Department was made up of 9 Fire Companies; 6 Engines, 3 Hook & Ladder Trucks. In the 1970's they added a Specialized truck known as a Snorkel Truck.

-In the coming Blogs, we were cover the different volunteer fire company names, type of trucks and the firehouse they belong to. We will also talk about some of the "Big Ones" (fires).

Souvenirs of Perth Amboy

Perth Amboy was one of the major cities in area during the early 1900's. 

So if someone came to Perth Amboy, 

they usually would pick up a souvenir or two of their visit. 

The souvenirs usually had a picture of a site in the city.

Souvenirs of Perth Amboy I have found are china nicknacks.

They are 2 1/2  to 4 inches high. 

The one of the left has a picture of the original Post Office. 

The other has a picture of State Street looking toward Market St.

The shoe and the vase have the same two pictures as 

the other two pieces.

The pictures were probably the exact  pictures

they used for postcards.

They are all marked "Made in Germany"

These pieces are most likely 100 years old. 

It's amazing that they have lastest this long.

Found on E-Bay.

Shopping in Perth Amboy....

As kids and teens we would do all our shopping "Downtown". Perth Amboy's "Downtown" was a favorite spot for folks from all over, including folks from another state, Staten Island, NY. This blog is just the start of many to come on the topics of "Shopping", Cruising" and "Downtown".

I was born in 1951, went to both Catholic and Public Schools, I even graduated from the "Halls of Ivy", which many of you done also. My grandparents came to Perth Amboy from the coal mines of Dickson City, PA. in the early 1900 to open a General Store/Boarding House on Chauncey Street (building is still there 2011). My Grandfather, Aunts, Uncles and Mother worked in the factories and stores from the time they arrived in this "Gem" of a city.

Remember growing up going to the Farmers Market on Fayette Street, between Broad, Division and State Streets. Remember the Railroad Stockyard and Slaughter House? Shopping wasn't only done on "Smith" Street, but some of the other major shopping areas included State Street (from Market St. to the area where the Outerbridge is) , Madison, Hall & New Brunswick Avenues. The picture on the top is Smith Street, picture on the bottom is State Street towards Fayette St.

All I'm trying to do is to "share" some of the items and stories that we have of "Old" Perth Amboy.

Keep an eye on this site, I'm sure Fran, I and other bloggers will spark something that you love about our special "City". Send us your ideas, pictures, stories. This site can and will out live us all, but will be a excellent place for generations to come.