SW Johnson Engine Company No. 2

The S.W. Johnson Engine Company #2 was founded on April 2, 1872. It was named after one the managers of the Garner Print works, Samuel William Johnson. Fred Allen was named the Chief Engineer of the new company. Their first fire pump was housed in a small building, formerly a stable, next to the W.T. Garner Engine Company #1 on Market Street. However, as both companies grew, so did the need for more space. In 1885 The S.W. Johnson Engine Company #2 moved to a building on the corner of Mill and Main Street. The fire company moved again to a building called Temperance Hall in 1900. The building was located on the corner of West Main and West Streets. It was an impressive three-story brick building with a mansard roof. The first floor was used to house the fire trucks while the second floor was used for banquets and meeting space.The Village of Wappingers Falls purchased a new LaFrance steam-powered pumper, mounted on four wheels and pulled by a team of horses in 1902 for the S.W. Johnson Company #2. A fire broke out in the fire station on March 15th, 1920. The fire was discovered around 3:00 in the morning by the conductor and motorman of the Wappingers Falls-Poughkeepsie trolley. They roused William Napoleon, who owned the store across the street. Mr. Napoleon then called in the alarm to the W.T. Garner Engine Company #1.Unfortunately, the building was destroyed including the LaFrance steam pumper, equipment, records, and trophies. The company regrouped and moved to a building on Givans Avenue. Eventually, a firehouse was built on School Street and is the current home of The S.W. Johnson Engine Company#2. The photo shows an early version of the fire house building on School Street and the second photo below shows the LaFrance steam-powered engine drawn by a team of horses.