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Early Fire Companies

Compiled by Retired Chief Max McRae

This section traces the history of the ten original volunteer fire companies, some of which have had uninterrupted service up to today’s fire companies; as well as the fire companies of other cities and towns that were annexed and became fire companies of the Houston Fire Department prior to World War II.

We are in the middle of redesigning this section of the web site. The following companies listed below will become active to browse in the next few weeks. Thank you for your continued patience.

Houston Volunteer Fire Companies:

  • Protection No. 1 – First Organized: 1838
  • Hook & Ladder No. 1 – First Organized: 1858
  • Liberty No. 2 – First Organized: 1852
  • Stonewall No. 3 – First Organized: 1867
  • Fire Company No. 4 – First Organized: 1872
  • Brooks No. 5 – First Organized: 1867
  • Mechanic No. 6 – First Organized: 1867
  • Eagle/Young American No. 7 – First Organized: 1874
  • Washington No. 8 – First Organized: 1894
  • Curtain No. 9 – First Organized: 1879
  • Seibert No. 10 – First Organized: 1867

Annexed Fire Companies:

  • Brunner (HFD No. 11) – Annexed: 1913
  • Houston Heights (HFD No. 13) – Annexed: 1918
  • Houston Heights (HFD No. 14) – Annexed: 1918
  • Harrisburg (HFD No. 20) – Annexed: 1926
  • Harrisburg (HFD No. 22) – Annexed: 1926
  • Park Place (HFD No. 26) – Annexed: 1930

Chief McRae

This section is forever dedicated to the hard work and perseverance of Chief Max McRae.