Wolfeboro Historical Society Digital Archive Museum Tours Firehouse Tour

Before fire departments were established, cities had volunteer fire brigades. Benjamin Franklin organized the first fire brigade in Philadelphia in 1735. When insurance companies began in 1792, they provided fire markers, which would be attached high on the insured building. When an alarm sounded, fire brigades would race to the scene; the first brigade to arrive had the rights to fight the fire. The marker told them which insurance company to bill for services. Squabbles were common. Also, if a building had no marker, the brigade would leave, letting the owners fend for themselves. This system faded out in the mid to late 1800's as fire departments were established.

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