Union Bridge Fire history

1, which formally first organized in 1823, is older.

Though it didn't work as designed, it inspired his cousin, Obed R. Hussy to perfect and patent the reaper in 1835, one year before the McCormick Reaper.

The first passenger trains began operating from Union Bridge to Baltimore in 1862 as well.

After the battle, thousands of wounded soldiers were brought to Union Bridge for transport to Baltimore; and to this day, this section of railway is known as the "Hospital Tracks" of July, 1863.

The postal service renamed the town to commemorate the bridge that spanned Little Pipe Creek to unite the north and south sides of the settlement by calling the community "Union Bridge". Union Bridge was chartered by the Maryland General Assembly on May 2, 1872.

The Union Bridge Volunteer Fire Company formally organized on March 10, 1887, with 30 volunteers.

In 1889, the fire company purchased the hardware store belonging to William H. Wood, a member of the company, on Main Street.

In 1891, a tower and bell were built on the roof to summon the firemen when help was needed.

In the early 1900's, vast deposits of limestone (primary ingredient in cement) were found at the edge of town.

The Tidewater Portland Cement Company built a plant and began mining and producing cement in 1909.

Over the years there have been many changes. "The Fire Company remained on Main Street until January of 1925, when the building was sold and the town hall on E. Broadway was purchased for $3,500." That same year the department got its "first piece of motorized equipment, a 1925 Stutz pumper…."

In 1929, President Hoover attended a Friends Meeting with his family during his travels through Carroll County.

While a group of women, mainly firefighters’ wives, had been helping raise funds for the fire company almost since its inception, the Union Bridge Ladies Auxiliary did not officially organize until 1939.

In 1947, the company received its first ambulance, donated by Hartzler & Sons Funeral Home.

Wondering how each company received their fire company number? The numbers were delegated when the first radio system was implemented in the late 1950's.

In 1962, the Union Bridge Junior Fire Company was formed for young men, ages 15 to 17, with hopes to become firemen as they got older.

After 42 years at the town hall, the company’s equipment was outgrowing the space, so it began work on its current building on West Locust Street, and moved in March 1967.

In 1972, the first Emergency Medical Technician class was held in Baltimore County, Maryland and several of our members were in that class.

In 2004, after many years of debate, the Carroll County Volunteer Emergency Services Association (CCVESA) was created to combine the three associations.

In 2017, another new quarry in New Windsor has opened to help supply the manufacturer with the raw material needed to make cement.