May 7, 1874 – Permanent Company organized at 18 Mason Street in a renovated building, formerly the Normal School. Equipped with a new 1874 Amoskeag First Size steam engine, Serial # 484.
July 31, 1874 – Hoseman Mark W. Hayes, Engine Co. 26, died in the Line-Of-Duty after being run over by the apparatus while the company was drilling.
November 28, 1889 – The Amoskeag steam pumper, Serial # 484, was destroyed at the Thanksgiving Day Fire on Bedford St.
April 1, 1890 – Company received a new 1890 Clapp & Jones Second Size steam engine, Serial # 531.
June 12, 1890 – Engine Company 35 is organized as the second section of Engine Company 26.
July 3, 1890 – Engineer Patrick M. Crotty, Engine Co. 26, died in the Line-Of-Duty at Box 49.
June 3, 1895 – A new 1895 LaFrance First Size steam engine, Serial # 325, is placed in service. It is the only LaFrance Steam Fire Engine in service in Boston. The Clapp & Jones Engine, Serial # 531 was transferred to Engine 39.
April 20, 1897 – Hoseman Joseph F. Collins, Engine Co. 26, died in the Line-Of-Duty at Box 54.
July 1, 1903 – Company received an 1882 Amoskeag Extra First size steam engine, Serial # 578, purchased from the Manchester Locomotive Co. in 1902.
April 12, 1908 – The ‘First’ Great Fire in Chelsea occurred. Engine 26 was among 14 engine companies, 2 ladder companies and a fireboat sent by Boston on Mutual Aid to Chelsea. The fire consumed 492 acres of land and destroyed 2822 buildings before being extinguished. Companies sent to Chelsea were: Engines Companies 6, 5, 11, 36, 27, 39, 26, 8, 10, 33, 9, 40, 4, 15; Ladder Companies 21, 22; Fireboat Engine 44.
February, 1909 – Company received a new 1909 Amoskeag First Size steam engine, built by International Power Co., Serial # 841.
June 25, 1914 – A conflagration occurred in Salem, Mass. Engine 26’s horse-drawn steamer and hose wagon are sent to the fire via flatbed rail car from North Station, along with Engines 6, 8, 27, 39.
April 26, 1916 – Newspaper story: Profile of Captain Avery B. Howard of Engine 26.
March 15, 1917 – A Christie two-wheel Front Drive Tractor, Serial # 115T , was attached to the 1909 Amoskeag steam engine, Serial # 841, displacing the horses.
July 19, 1917 – Company received new 1917 Seagrave motor Hose & Chemical Wagon, Serial # 17797, Shop # 316 , displacing the horse-drawn hose wagon.
October 26, 1918 – Hoseman Thomas H. McAndrews, Engine Co. 26, died in the Line-Of-Duty.
January 15, 1919 – Company responded to the Molasses Tank “Explosion” on Commercial Street, North End. See the Station Log Book entry for the incident. Log Book. See more details on this incident in the Other Disasters section of this website.
July 20, 1920 – Company moved to temporary quarters at former Chemical 2 house, 25 Church Street during alterations to quarters.
January 5, 1921 – Company returned to quarters at 18 Mason Street. Company received a 1920 American LaFrance, Type 12, 1000gpm pumper, Serial # 3154, Shop # 135 , and a 1920 American LaFrance, Type 40, Hose & Chemical Wagon, Serial # 2964, Shop # 332.
January 19, 1921 – Company responded to Worcester, Mass. on a request for mutual aid. Newspaper story.
August 12, 1921 – Company again moved to former Chemical 2 quarters at 25 Church Street.
May 22,1922 – Company moved back to 18 Mason Street.
October 9, 1925 – Fire Station at 18 Mason Street closed. Engine 26 moved to Engine 4 quarters at 5 Bulfinch Street , Downtown.
October 11, 1927 – Company received a new 1927 American LaFrance, Type 112, combination Hose & Chemical Wagon, Serial # 6121, Shop # 358.
February 2, 1928 – The City of Fall River, Mass. experienced a conflagration and requested Mutual Aid from surrounding cities and towns. Boston sent Engines 26, 12 and 42 over the road, a distance of over 50 miles, in extremely cold weather to assist.
April 17, 1928 – Company moved to new quarters with Engine 35, Rescue 1 and Water Tower 1 at 194 Broadway, Downtown.
October 2, 1931 – Company received a new 1931 American LaFrance, Type 310RC, 1000gpm pumper, Serial # 7417, Shop # 183.
1942 – Hoseman Edward B. Nolan, Engine Company 26, was awarded the Roll Of Merit.
February 4, 1947 – Engine 35 is deactivated.
August 8, 1947 – Company received a new 1947 Ward LaFrance, Type 120, 1000gpm pumper, Serial # 47-2277, Shop # 124.
December 2, 1947 – Company received a 1947 Mack, Type 85, High Pressure Hose Wagon, Serial # 85LS-1163, Shop # 300 , which had been briefly assigned to Engine 7.
January 3, 1957 – Company changed from Double-unit operation to combination Single-Double unit.
July 16, 1962 – Company received a new 1962 Ward LaFrance, Type 1150T, 1250gpm pumper, Serial # 62-4785, Shop # 113.
July 19, 1968 – Company received a new Ward LaFrance, Type P80, 1250gpm pumper, Serial # 80-246, Shop # 171.
July 9, 1970 – Company received new 1970 Hahn 1250gpm pumper, Serial # C12-33, Shop # 114.
October 3, 1970 – Company received a new 1970 Ford/Maxim Squrt Hose Wagon, Serial # C75FVE 74269, Shop # 300.
May 10, 1971 – Company moved to new firehouse at 200 Columbus Avenue , Park Square, along with Engine 7 and Ladder 17. The old firehouse at 194 Broadway was closed and demolished.
November 22, 1971 – Firefighter Patrick J. Kelly, Engine Company 26, died in the Line-Of-Duty at Box 1436, 5 alarms, 132-144 Lincoln St., Downtown.
Medal Of Valor Citation for Fire Fighter Kelly.
1977 – Fire Fighter John D. Sheehan, Engine Company 26, was awarded the Roll Of Merit. Citation
January 4, 1980 – Engine 26’s 1970 Hahn pumper, Shop # 114 , was returned to service painted Lime-Green.
January 25, 1980 – Engine 26’s 1970 Ford/Maxim Wagon, Shop # 300 , was returned to service painted Lime-Green.
April 10, 1981 – COMPANY DEACTIVATED.
