Read the newspaper clipping that goes along with this photo
What happened to the Horses
We celebrated our hundredth year anniversary in 2001 and put together an anniversary book which seems to have taken on a life of it's own. The committee spent hundreds upon hundreds of hours pouring over every scrap of material to bring this beautiful story together. Under the skillful leadership of our chairman, Terry Martin and the artful mastery of Cathi Savery, our past 100 years have been poetically woven together. The only piece missing is the glorious "horse drawn" fire apparatus that one imagines when picturing the fire service of yesteryear.
Where were New Hartford's horses? The fact of the matter is that the tiny village, on the banks of the Sauquoit Creek, entered the age of firefighting just as the dawning of the motorized era. Starting small as they did, hand drawn equipment was the most, if not only, economical option at the time. From time to time, local residents and or business did lend their horses to aid in the delivery of the equipment to a fire. As the department grew, motorized fire apparatus was swiftly taking its place in the firefighting area. And it was justly deserved as no man or beast would keep up the pace that would be laid before them in the years to come.
If you are a history buff or a fire buff, this book is for you. The price is $50 plus handling and shipping. E-Mail us.
