Our History

The history of Leo Independent Fire Engine Company No. 1 is also history of Red Lion areas as a community.  The growth of population and business brought with it a corresponding need for growth and explanation of fire protection capabilities.  To cover these changing needs over 100 years, Leo Fire Company has grown from a single piece of hand-drawn apparatus housed in a wagon shed to seven pieces of apparatus housed in a modern building.

1800's

Growth continued through the 1890’s in Red Lion, prompting the citizens to discuss among themselves the need for some form of organized fire protection.  On the evening of September 20, 1894, these citizens under the direction of Chief Burgess R. Neiman met for the purpose of organizing a fire company.  E.E. Roser was elected President, and C.E. Meyers, Foreman.  The new company then formed committees to obtain a charter, construct bylaws and “secure a place for keeping a hose carriage and hose, and to secure some sort of alarm.” 

Citizen donations produced $136, which was used to secure a secondhand hose carriage from Goodwill Fire Company of York and 150 feet of hose.  A joining fee was fixed at $1 and monthly dues of 10 cents.  The members also voted to name themselves the “Independent Fire Company”, but in October that was modified to read “Leo Independent Fire Engine Company No. 1.” 

In November of 1894, Borough Council resolved that the hose carriage become property of the company for as long as the company remained in organization.  The lower portion of Maurice Bicking’s shop was rented at $10 per year to house the hose carriage and supplies.  Near the end of 1894, a steam engine was purchased from the LaFrance Company by the borough for $1,100.00. 

The company’s first mascot was a greyhound dog presented by a Henry Getz of York.  It was placed in the care of Dan Spangler. 

In 1895, the July Fourth Fireman’s picnic was held, which became an annual community event in which outside companies were sometimes invited.  This picnic was the main fund-raiser during the first 50 years of the company’s history. 

1900's

In 1928, Mrs. Nettie Moody, Catherine Meyer’s daughter, died leaving a large trust fund that was to be used toward establishing a hospital in Red Lion.  This money, with its accumulated interest, was used in 1969 to help finance the building of the combination Leo Company Fire Hall and Visiting Nurse Association on the corner of West Broadway and North Charles Street. 

In 1904, after a seven-year search, the company purchased a site for a building First Avenue and Railroad Alley.  This lot was purchased from Elija J. Miller at a cost of $1,500.  The company resolved to build a 28 by 60 foot, two-story building at a cost not to exceed $4,000.  The building was completed in February 1905, and conveyed to Borough Council who agreed to pay all interest, taxes and upkeep expenses on the building.  This was Leo’s home-to-be for 65 years.  The building that housed the fire company on this lot is still standing today. t is still standing today. 

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