Fairplay Fire Company #1

Description:	The Fairplay Fire Company #1 was founded in 1841. Four years later Joseph Todd and M. A. Gavitt were appointed to write the companys constitution and apply for a charter from the state. In 1846 the city council recognized the Ones, as they were called, as a regular fire company. Fairplay Engine Company #1 is the oldest volunteer fire department in the state. The site the building now sits upon had previously been used as a barn for Madison mule cars and in 1887 there was a livery stable on the site. The bell now hanging in the firehouse is the second bell. When the first bell cracked it was melted down and, along with silver dollars donated by townspeople, it was recast to form the new bell in 1850. Little Jimmy, named for Jim McIntire, is the weathervane atop the bell tower. He was made by Peter Hoffman. In 1945 strong winds brought Jimmy to the ground and he languished about the firehouse and, at one time, Eggleston School, but in 1955 he returned to once more point the way from his lofty perch. Storm damage in 1991 and again in 1996 made it necessary to retire Jimmy. Little Jimmy II was fashioned by Don Felix, master coppersmith of Seabrook, New Hampshire and in 1997 he was once more placed atop the firehouse, presumably for another 108 years..
Origin:	1929-04-28
Created By:	Harry Lemen, photographer
Source:	http://indianamemory.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p4038coll5/id/40
Collection:	River to Rail and Lemen Collection
Copyright:	Permission to reproduce this image for other than personal use must be requested from the Director of the Madison-Jefferson County Public Library. Please contact at 420 W. Main Street Madison, IN 47250 (812) 265-2744
Geography:	Indiana-Jefferson County-Madison
Subjects:	Fire stations

Further information on this record can be found at its source.