Delaware Historical Fire Society

05/19/2026

🚨 Project Update: Mill Creek’s Former Engine 21-3!

Back in November, we shared the exciting news that Mill Creek’s former Engine 21-3 had been rescued from Wisconsin and brought back home to Delaware. Over the winter, our dedicated members have been hard at work getting this classic rig back together, and we wanted to give you all a progress report!

Things have been busy over the
Winter and into spring. We successfully sourced a replacement engine and transmission, both of which have been fully cleaned, freshly painted, and are prepped to drop right into the engine bay. To make the installation as smooth as possible, the front core support and hood were removed, and the radiator was sent out to be professionally cleaned and pressure-checked for leaks. We've also been tracking down missing pump and Seagrave body parts, securing exactly what we needed all the way from Arizona.

It’s still a long road ahead to get her fully restored, but we are making solid progress every single day. Thank you to everyone for following along on this journey!

Drop a comment below if you remember seeing 21-3 in action! 👇

05/18/2026

We will be there with our antique Delaware apparatus stop by ask questions and see what we are trying to accomplish.

DELAWARE SNAPSHOT 📸
This Celebration’s Gonna Be Fire
If you love fire trucks and our state’s volunteer fire companies – and who doesn’t? – save the date of Saturday, May 30. The City of Dover and Delaware Volunteer Firefighters Association are hosting a free, family-friendly USA/DE250 celebration on Legislative Mall. Fire companies from throughout the state will display their antique apparatus from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Firefighters’ Delaware 250 Parade starts at 5 p.m., followed by a 6:30 p.m. service at the Firefighters Memorial. The event continues with a 7 p.m., concert by the award-winning Citizens Hose Company Band of Smyrna. The grand finale: A flyover by Dover Air Force Base planes and fireworks.
– Compiled by robin brown, Writer in Residence
Delaware Public Archives
Private Photograph Collections
Harold W. T. Purnell Photograph Collection
Seaford Fire Company
Photo: 1936, hand-tinted
ID: 9015-003-001_3998pn_

05/17/2026

We sure are enjoying this beautiful weather, as we hope you all are. We were able to take advantage of this weather by spending the weekend working on Dover Engine 3.

Saturday we spent the day gathering equipment, as well as picking up 1000’ for 1-3/4 and 1200 of 5” that Hockessin Fire Company - Station 19 graciously donated to us. Through their donation we are able to get our apparatus looking the part, and we cannot thank them enough.

Sunday was spent getting everything mounted and loaded on to Dover Engine 3. There is always more to do, but we are steadily checking things off our list to have everything ready for the summer months.

Be on the look out for work days in the coming weeks. Come on out check out what we are about and give us a helping hand in preserving Delaware’s firefighting history.

05/13/2026

Although this story isn’t directly tied to Delaware's fire service history, it perfectly reflects the mission and goals of our organization.

One of the trucks in our collection is a 1968 Hahn that originally served Pitman Fire Company #1 in Pitman, New Jersey. This year, the company is proudly celebrating its 125th anniversary, with events planned throughout June.

Through coordination with Pitman Fire Company #1 and the Cradle of Liberty Antique Fire Apparatus Association , we were honored to return the Hahn to its original home so it can be part of this milestone celebration.

The truck will remain in Pitman through the month of June and will hopefully be in attendance at the annual Fourth of July parade.

Being able to preserve history—and reconnect it with the communities it served—is what our organization is all about.

05/13/2026

05/10/2026

Another Seagrave Preserved.

This 1981 P Series Seagrave has been saved thanks to our New Castle Director Josh Lennon. This engine features a 325HP 8v71 Detroit Diesel mated to an Allison HT740 automatic transmission. This truck also has a 1500GPM Waterous pump with a 1000 gallon water tank. Original to Mill Creek Fire Company - Stations 2&21 it was in service from 1981 to 1995 and ran as 21-4.

A few years ago this truck was purchased by Mill Creek, from a private owner who bought it from the Sinking Valley Volunteer Fire Company. The plan was to use 21-4 as parts for the 1972 Seagrave 21-2 that Mill Creek owns and operates; however no work was ever completed. Due to the cost of repairs and maintenance, the Mill Creek Board of Directors elected to sell the apparatus to a Member or scrap the unit.

Be on the look out this summer for updates as Josh has big plans for this truck as well as getting it to a few musters.

05/07/2026

Delaware City Fire Company

Delaware City Fire Company was formed in 1887 and operated under several names in its early years. Originally known as the Volunteer Fire Company, it served the community until 1899, when it adopted the name Delaware City Hose Company. The company remained active until 1918, when it disbanded. In 1924, the organization reorganized and became known as the Delaware City Fire Company.

Photos show an early unknown year (1924?) Hale Pumper and firemen in front of their firehouse.