The Wellington Fire District began in 1881 and has been a key part of the Wellington Community over the years. We here at the WFD are proud of our history and have dedicated this area of our website to those that came before us.

As we continue to improve our website, we ask that you take the time to read about some of our history.

The First Fire Call

(From the July 30, 1981 Wellington Enterprise)

by Terry Mazzone

The newly organized Wellington Fire Department was behind the eight ball when it received its first call near midnight on Sunday, January 30, 1881, nine days after the Fire Department held its first organizational meeting.

The first bell was ringing in the night air.  The fire, which had started on the west side of the business district, was raging.

Where was the fire engine?  It was on the second story of the Doland Carriage Shop.  It didn't have any wheels on it and the brakes and tongue had been removed from the horse-drawn fire engine in order to get it into the elevator and to the second floor, where they planned to paint the name of "E.G. Fuller" on the vehicle, in honor of the mayor.

Within 20 minutes after the bells started ringing, the firemen had replaced the wheels, tongue and brakes and the engine was ready for use.

The Fire Department's first blaze destroyed the A.H. Palmer Building, which housed the S.E. Peters grocery store and Mrs. Palmer's dressmaking shop, the Bunce Candy Stand and the Wooley Hardware store.  The Post Office Building was nearly razed.  All movable equipment was removed from the Wellington Enterprise's plant and stock was taken from Wight Jewelers.