1628 – The Town of Charlestown is founded.
1724, May 18 – A sum of 30 pounds was appropriated to purchase the first fire engine for the town.
1735 – The second fire engine for the town is purchased for a sum of 117 pounds.
1743, November 8 – The Ancient Fire Society is formed.
Ancient Fire Society Rules and Regulations (printed in 1815).
1775, June 17 – During the Battle of Bunker Hill, British troops set fire to the town. Much of the town was destroyed, with estimates placing the count at over 500 houses/buildings lost.
1795 – The Phoenix Fire Society is formed.
1800 – The Washington Fire Society is formed.
Washington Fire Society Constitution (printed in 1811).
1807 – The Jefferson Fire Society is formed.
Jefferson Fire Society Regulations.
1821, July 12 – A New York newspaper account of a fire in Charlestown.
Read another Newspaper Story on the fire.
1826, May 31 – Boys playing with firecrackers caused a major fire which destroyed many buildings in the area of Main, Bow, Richmond & Union Sts. Read a Newspaper Story on the fire.
1830, August 10 – The Franklin Fire Society is formed.
1834, August 11-12 – The Ursuline Convent (Catholic) is destroyed by fire by a large group of citizens in a religious/ethnic disturbance. An Account of the Conflagration of The Ursuline Convent., published in 1834.
1834 – Five engine-houses exist and the town population is 10,000. Engine House: Hancock, Bunker Hill, Jefferson, Warren, Washington, Hook & Ladder
1835, August 28 – The most destructive fire since the 1775 Burning of Charlestown takes place. The fire extends from Warren Avenue, including City Square, to the Charles River and nearly to the Navy Yard. Newspaper story (Haverhill (Essex) Gazette, 8/29/1835)
1838 – The Town established a new engine-house to house ‘Mystic No. 6’ at Washington & Prospect Sts. in the current City of Somerville (Union Square). The Town of Somerville split from the Town of Charlestown in 1842, with ‘Mystic No. 6’ owned by Somerville.
1840, February 15 – An Act of the Massachusetts Legislature establishes a Fire Department in the Town of Charlestown.
1841, November 22 – A destructive fire occurred at 3AM in a large building on Franklin Place. It later spread to other structures, including a block of dwellings on Bartlett Street. Newspaper story
1847, February 22 – Charlestown incorporates as a City.
1847, February 27 – Annual Report of Expenditures of the Fire Department.
1848 – Charlestown Fire Department engineers.
1849 – Charlestown Fire Department engineers.
1850 – Charlestown Fire Department engineers.
1851 – Charlestown Fire Department engineers.
1852 – Charlestown Fire Department engineers.
1852, May 24 – A large fire early on a Saturday morning at Tudor’s Wharf, Charlestown, involving buildings and the Ship ‘Bell Rock’. Newspaper story
1853 – The mayor’s annual message contains Fire Department info. Link to the story.
1853, August 13 – Hoseman George Estey, Franklin Engine Company 7, Charlestown Fire Department, died on August 13, 1853 from injuries received at a fire in Boston on March 31, 1852. The fire destroyed the Tremont Temple, located at 88 Tremont Street, near School Street, Downtown. Franklin Engine Co. 7 responded on Mutual Aid to Boston to lend assistance at this fire. LODD Info Newspaper Story
1853 – 1853 Report of Expenditures of the Fire Department, including information on the new firehouse on Winthrop Street.
1854 – 1854 Annual Report of the Chief Engineer
1855 – 1855 Annual Report of the Chief Engineer
1856 – 1856 Annual Report of the Chief Engineer
Charlestown Fire Department engineers.
1857 – 1857 Annual Report of the Chief Engineer
Charlestown Fire Department engineers.
1858 – 1858 Annual Report of the Chief Engineer
Charlestown Fire Department engineers.
1858 – November, Hibernia Engine Co. (Philadelphia) visit to Charlestown in 1858
1859, February 28 – Annual Report of the Chief Engineer
1860, February 29 – Annual Report of the Chief Engineer
1861, February 28 – Annual Report of the Chief Engineer
1862, January 17 – Bill of Fare of the Franklin Fire Society dinner.
1864, February 29 – The annual report of receipts and expenditures of the City of Charlestown is reported in summary. Newspaper article
1864, February 29 – Annual Report of the Chief Engineer
1865, February 28 – Annual Report of the Chief Engineer
1866, February 28 – Annual Report of the Chief Engineer
1867, February 28 – Annual Report of Expenditures of the Fire Department.
1868, February 29 – Annual Report of the Chief Engineer
1869, February 28 – Annual Report of the Chief Engineer
1869, November 12 – A new Fire Alarm system is installed in the city and placed in service. It consists of 18 street boxes wired to the headquarters at the firehouse at 11 Elm Street.
1870, January 1 – City Ordinances (relating to the Fire Department) in force from or after January 1, 1870. Charlestown Ordinances
1870, February 28 – Annual Report of the Chief Engineer
1870, July 18 – The most destructive fire to afflict Charlestown since the City Square Fire in 1835 occurs. The fire destroyed the linseed oil factory of the Tudor Company on Charles River Ave. Newspaper article
1871, February 28 – Annual Report of the Chief Engineer
1872, February 29 – Annual Report of Expenditures of the Fire Department.
1872, March 15 – The Harvard School on Harvard St., City Square, is destroyed by fire. The fire occurred while 350 children and teachers were in the school. Story of the fire
1873, February 28 – Annual Report of the Chief Engineer
1874, January 5 – The City of Charlestown (in Middlesex County) is annexed to the City of Boston (in Suffolk County).
1874, January 12 – Annual Report of the Chief Engineer
1888 – ‘Fire Societies’, excerpt from A Century of Town Life by James F. Hunnewell (1888)