Central Park Fire Company
From Central Park Historical Society Encyclopedia
April 1910 the Central Park Fire Company was organized. Mr. Foster drew up plans for a fire house located on Stewart Avenue, and constructed by Mr. Kunz. Each fireman was "taxed" for one 4 X 8 sheet of sheetrock which he installed. The fire signal was a large iron wheel which was struck by a hammer to sound the alarm. The firemen arrived at the fire house by foot, bike, or horse. The engine of the time was a hand drawn affair which carried a vat of water. The first step in modernization was the horse drawn wagon, at first a wagon and horse belonging to fireman Guttenberger was used. (Information from the 21st Anniversary of Bethpage - 1957- Bethpage Becomes of Age by William V. Benintendi)
The below information is taken from "Bethpage Fire Department 1910 - 2010" Journal Central Park in 1910 had a population of 530 people when seven citizens worked for the formation of a fire department - their names were Henry Sengstacken, William Burnham, George Baldwin, Charles Christman, John Kunz, Walter Hanquest and George Woodwell. These men became an incorporated body to form the Central Park Fire Company #1 with the Certificate of Incorporation dated March 11, 1910. Fire Company #2 was formed soon after with the above mentioned men served as directors until the first annual meeting and John Kunz was appointed Foreman (Chief).
