The Oxford Fire Department was started in July, 1823 with the signing of a charter by the Village Board of Trustees. At the same meeting the Board of Trustees it was resolved that every dwelling should have at least one or more "leather fire buckets" for the benefit of the Village in care of a fire and could be used for no other purpose. In case of a lease, a tenant could purchase a fire bucket and charge the expense of the bucket or buckets to the landlord or deduct the amount of the cost of the buckets from the rent.

On October 15, 1824, when the tax was levied, it was resolved that Ganett H. Van Wagenen and Ronsom Rathobone be empowered to purchase, in New York or elsewhere, a fire engine on the credit of the Village of Oxford at a price not to exceed $325.00. On March 5, 1824, a resolution was passed by the board of trustees levying a tax of $500.00 for the purchase of the fire engine. On March 8, 1824, the first fire company was organized by the appointment of 21 firemen.

On April 15, 1824, there was appropriated $50.00 to build an engine house on Fort Hill. On May 16, 1825, the board provided a key to be deposited in the engine house for the purpose of unlocking the Saint Paul's Church so that alarms could be sounded by ringing the church bell.

On April 16, 1836, a resolution was voted on by the free holders and inhabitants of the Village authorizing the trustees of the Village to build a reservoir and to repair the engine. The reservoir was to be 30 feet long, 10 feet wide and 7 feet deep. It was to be built out of timers, lathed and plastered, however it proved a failure. On May 21, 1837, the Village voted on raising $500.00 for repairing the old engine or buying a new one, procuring two poles for carrying fire buckets, and for repairing the ladders. All evidence indicated however that the vote was against the proposal.

The records from May 21, 1837 to August 9, 1845 cannot be found.

     On August 9, 1845, at a meeting of the freeholders and inhabitants of the Village it was resolved that "It is expedient to reorganize the Fire Department of the Village of Oxford, that the fire ending belonging to the Village of Oxford is unfit for use and is entirely inadequate for the preservation of property of said Village against the ravaged of fire". A committee of 10 was appointed to decide what action to take on the subject. They were given two weeks to study the problem and arrive at a decision. At a meeting on August 23, 1845, they turned in their request for an additional two weeks to study the problem, the request was granted.

On Saturday September 6, 1845 they turned in their decision at a meeting of the fire holders and inhabitants, of the Village of Oxford, the committee reported through their chairman, John Tracy, that they were unable to arrive at a decision because of a lack of information and requested to be dissolved as a committee. In a motion H. Vanvrlyn it was resolved that the Village of Oxford levy a tax in the amount of $600.00 for the purchase of a new fire engine with needful hose and apparatus.

On October 13, 1845, the hotel of Thomas Morris was "Set on Fire" and on October 4th, the trustees offered a reward of $100.00 to be paid on the conviction of the person "who last night set fire to said hotel. To be paid to the person who shall discover the offender, and that the secretary sign and cause to be posted and posted 50 copies of a notice of said reward and draw on the treasurer for the expense of printing and posted of the same". Also it was "resolved that committee of three purchase the fire engine and hose of the previous meeting of the trustees".

     At a meeting of the trustees duly held April 25, 1846 , it was stated that "Henry Waterman of Hudson, New York would furnish this corporation with a engine to be delivered in Albany in October, 1846 for $700.00.  The engine was to have 7 1/2 inch cylinders, man 18 men and weigh 1900 pounds, throw one inch stream of water 170 feet at near 400 gallons per minute (GFM). It was to be build of St. Domingo Mahogany, well polished, with brass mountings, with wrenches, pipes, and all the other apparatus complete".

The engine was accepted by the Village trustees.

At a meeting of the trustees duly held August, 1846 the new fire apparatus was received by the Village and put into the hands of the Oxford Fire Company, but the Village still owned it.

On October 15, 1846 at a meeting of the board of trustees, a committee of three was appointed to the then present fire station and decide on a better site if necessary.

In 1855 the board approved the formation of the Niagara Fire Company No. 1 comprised of some 50 men.

    On October 1, 1858, the "Lady Washington" engine was received by the cooperation for inspection from Mr. Waterman of New York City. It was approved and accepted. Because the engine has the number one on it, the department was reorganized with the Lady Washington Engine Company No. 1 with 27 members and the Niagara Company No. 2 with 44 members. On April 22, 1859, the present building on Fort Hill was rented by the Village board for the purpose of keeping the fire apparatus there. 

On June 2, 1867 it was resolved by the board of trustees to purchase the Fort Hill building at a sum not exceeding $ 1500.00 and that a tower be erected on the building for $450.00/

The Sappho Hose Company was organized on the Februrary 27, 1873 with 15 members.

The Oxford Hook and Ladder Company was organized  on June 25, 1878 with a membership of 12, they soon expanded to 31 members.

On April 20, 1888 the inhabitants of the Village voted for the purchase of a steam fire engine at a cost of $3000.00 and in November 1888, it was received and a Steamer Company was organized.

The Fire Department then consisted of the Steamer Co, Sappho Hose Co, Lady Washington Co, Niagara Hose Co, and the Hook and Ladder Co, and 122 men.

The Niagara Company has grown in membership to run such numbers that in April, 1859 the company was divided and two companies were formed. Niagara Company No. 1 had 27 members , and Niagara Company No. 2 had 44 members. On April 4, 1859 the following department officers were elected, Chief Engineer, John P. Clark, Assistant Chief Engineer, William S. Thompson, Clerk, N. B. Eccleston and Treasurer, William Balcom. On the 24th of the same month, the same building now used as the fire station, was rented and all the apparatus where housed there. On May 6, of the same year, the Lady Washington Company was duly organized.

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