History

                          

It was common in the 1800's for fire protection to be provided by a private company. Fierce competition often developed -- the first 'fire company' on the scene received payment from the insurance underwriter. Many fire service traditions have roots in a 'fire company'.

The N.H. Munsill Hose Co. was started in 1893. Mr. Munsill was the 'chief' stockholder of the organization which later became the Bristol Fire Department. Many of the original bylaws are still followed.

Seven hundred feet of hose and a hose cart were provided by the Rock Spring Water Company. A fire station was built in 1898.

Fate has not been kind to Bristol's Main Street. 1898 saw the destruction of the business section on the 'north side' of the street. Losses included the Tomasi Fruit and E.C Dike stores. Disaster struck again in 1914 when the Drake Farr block was nearly all destroyed. The worst was yet to come...

One fateful night in 1924, the hose house alarm bell failed to awaken firefighters in time to avert Bristol's worst tragedy. This time fire struck the 'south side' of Main Street. Kilbourne's Grist Mill, Kate Stewart's barn, and Quinland & Wright's Grocery were destroyed. The Rexall Drug Store, a bank, and E.W. Varney's Funeral Parlor were so badly damaged, they had to be almost completely rebuilt.

Needless to say, the 'alarm bell' was soon replaced with an electric siren which could be heard for more than five miles. Unfortunately, fifty years later on March 29, 1974, half a block on the north side of Main Street was severely damaged by fire. Businesses included the Addison County buyer's Club and the Kountry Kupboard Restuarant.

Bristol Fire Department joined the ACFA in 1953.

(1) Historical data from the booklet: '1944-1994 50th Anniversary, Addison County Firefighters Association, Inc.' and was edited for use on this page. The booklet was researched and prepared by: Herbert Jackson, Ray Davidson, Sheila Turpin. Credit also goes to those un-named individuals in departments who contributed to their effort.