Apparatus History

From the company’s inception in 1871, and up until 1914, the Eagles used manpower and horses to pull their apparatus to fire calls.

Going to fires in the old days was much different than it is today. There was a time when there were no paved streets, and even Main Street was a dirt road when the Eagles were organized. These dirt roads would turn to mud in the spring. Old time members would pull two wheel hose jumpers through the mud and up hills in all sorts of weather while responding to the call of duty.

The old ladder trucks also required a great deal of energy and strength from the firefighters. The ladders that were carried on these trucks were quite heavy and long. Even the shortest ladders required a great deal of exertion to lift the ladder from the truck and raise it against a building.

More Apparatus History:

1924: Seagrave Chemical Pumper replaces 1914 Maxim Chemical Pumper

1947: Seagrave 67-foot aerial Ladder Truck replaces 1916 Seagrave Ladder

1951: Seagrave Pumper replaces 1924 Seagrave Chemical Pumper

1968: Seagrave 100-foot aerial Ladder Truck replaces 1947 Seagrave Ladder

1971: Maxim 1250 GPM Single Stage Pumper replaces 1951 Seagrave  Pumper

1981: American LaFrance 100-foot aerial Ladder Truck replaces 1968 Seagrave Ladder

1992: Pierce 1250 GPM Lance Single Stage Pumper replaces 1971 Maxim Pumper

Parade Trophies

Eagle Hose is known inside Ansonia for its years of firefighting service. Outside of Ansonia the Company is known for appearance in various parades throughout the region.

The trophies won by the Company in parades throughout the years are on display at the firehouse. The Eagles have been awarded prizes for drilling and appearance in cities, such as: North Adams, MA; Port Chester N.Y.; Alexandria, VA; Manchester, N.H.; New London; New Haven; Danbury; Stamford; West Haven; Seymour and Naugatuck.

Uniform History

The basement of Eagle Hose is known as the Canal Room. When our present firehouse was built in 1904, it was constructed over a canal, which was used to provide waterpower to the various factories in the area. As the use of electricity became more prominent, the canal was no longer needed. This left a vacancy under the hose house.

In 1941, the Eagles decided to utilize this space. Leslie Gardner and Edward Leggo organized this remodeling project. The members of the Company spent months removing dirt and stone from underneath the building. Through sheer hard work they transformed what seemed to be useless space into a beautiful room for all members to enjoy.

The Canal Room has been used to host many of the social gatherings that the Eagles have enjoyed over the years. Special events, such as the Past Captain and Old Timers Night, the Annual Children’s Christmas Party, and other such notable gatherings have taken place in this room through which water once ran.

The Blackman War Eagle

(located on the top of the firehouse)

Resting atop the firehouse is the Blackman War Eagle; a part of Ansonia’s history which dates back to the Civil War days. The eagle is made of heavy sheet metal and tin. It weighs 50 pounds and is 5 feet in length. The eagle was made by a man named John Carr in 1859.

Tradition has it that Carr was employed at the Black Building, which was owned by a man named Blackman (his first name is not known). Blackman liked the eagle and he placed it on the top of his building, which was located at Main and Bridge Streets. Perched atop this building, the eagle would indicate wind direction to the citizens of Ansonia, as it acts much like a weathervane.

The eagle was intended to serve as a peace emblem during the Civil War. There is an inscription across the four-foot wingspan, which reads:

“Victory to the Peacemakers, Now and Forever”

Eventually, a man named Henry Kornblut came to possess the eagle. In 1904, Mr. Kornblut presented the eagle as a gift to the firehouse. Eagle Hose was hosting a fair in April of that year, and they were attempting raise money to furnish the new hose house, and purchase new uniforms when they were presented with this gift. The eagle has remained atop our firehouse since that time.

Community Contributions

In addition to our 'regular' firefighting duties, the membership graciously donates money, time and energy to several different organizations throughout Ansonia, the Lower Naugatuck Valley and the State of Connecticut. Each year, we sponsor a Little League youth baseball team bearing our proud name and we donate to the Boys and Girls Scouts of America. We sponsor two scholarships at the Ansonia High School and one at the Emmett O'Brien Regional Vocational Technical School. In addition, we also send money to help support athletic teams, cheerleading and many other after-school programs at the High School and other organizations.

Members of the Eagle Hose Co. can also be found with Santa Claus on top of the fire truck during the holiday season, bringing smiles to kids of all ages during Popcorn Ball Sunday, where we hand out popcorn balls to everyone in our response district.

When Eagles members aren't participating in fund raising or other events at the firehouse, most can usually be found in a classroom, honing their skills for our basic function, firefighting. Eagles members are constantly striving to 'be the best' by taking classes or teaching them to our own membership or other departments in the area. The Eagles boast of several members who are either Fire Service Instructors, Certified Fire Officers, Career Firefighters or a combination of these.

The Eagle Hose and Hook & Ladder Co. No. 6 will continue to serve the citizens of the City of Ansonia, as we have in the past, for many more years to come. Our strong membership and commitment to duty will ensure that.

Past Captains

From our earliest beginnings, Eagle Hose has enjoyed a very rich and unique history. Listed below are the men who served as Captain for Company 6 since its inception in 1871. These men were instrumental in establishing the commitment to excellence which has been carried down throughout our great history. We thank these men for dedicating a portion of their lives to serving the citizens of Ansonia and leading their fellow brothers at Eagle Hose.

The Eagle Hose Past Captains are: