Company 2’s

Engine 2, Truck 2, Battalion Chief 1, Operator 1
DOT, Drill Tower, Fitness Center, EMS, ECD
110 West Sonora Street, Stockton, CA 95203

Timeline

  • May 31, 1853: The Webers hold a vote for a new foreman; several members quit when their nomination is not elected.
  • June 7, 1853: The members that resigned from the Webers draft a memorial stating an organization of a new fire company.
  • August 1, 1853: The constitution and by-laws for the new fire company, the Eurekas, is adopted by the City Council.
  • September 1 1853: The Eurekas elect W. B. Clark as their Foreman.
  • February 20, 1854: The city builds the Eurekas a new house, and also houses Protection Hook and Ladder Company 1 and Service Ladder Company 2 at 26 and 28 South Hunter Street.
  • The Eureka House The Main Firehouse The South Hunter Street Station
  • 1938: A rescue squad is assembled and housed at the South Hunter Street Station.
  • The Main House
  • 1960: The facilities at South Hunter Street are relocated to 110 West Sonora Street.

Eureka Research
We Aim To Conquer

The Eureka Stable

The engine was newly painted, a new silken ensign secured at a cost of $125 and a committee appointed to select an appropriate motto for the company. The following were suggested: “Our Motto is Our Name,” “Fearless in Danger,” “The Fire Fiend’s Foe,” “We Are Ready For Action,” “We Aim To Conquer.” The last, embracing as it did, virtually all the others, was chosen and remained the symbol of the company until, upon the adoption of the paid department, it passed out of existence. (History of the Stockton Fire Department 1908-1850)

1890Eureka Engine Company Number 2

The original Weber Engine Company #1 was of two factions known as the ‘Boston Boys’ and the ‘New York Boys’ – a rivalry of different opinions and loyalties. The reorganization that took place on May 31, 1853 caused the circle of friends to place in nomination their respective candidate for the position of foreman. The defeat of the ‘Boston Boys’ candidate caused them to resign from the company. Two days later, 19 of them met to form a new company that became known as the ‘Eurekas.’ On June 7, 1853, Mr. Weeks and Mr. Lynch were selected to draft a memorial stating the organization in the city, and further, to obtain signatures of those desiring to become members and present same to the city council. The constitution and by-laws were adopted on August 1, 1853, and the secretary was instructed to obtain the signatures of all wishing to remain as members. A meeting of the company was held on September 1, 1853, to elect officers under the new rules and regulations. They nominated W. B. Clark as Foreman, W. R. Jefferson as First Assistant, and John R. Clark as Second Assistant.
On February 20, 1854, an invitation was extended to the Mayor and Common Council to meet the company on the occasion of a ‘house warming’ in the building the city had erected at a cost of $11,450.00 to house the engine and the hose wagon that adjoined the ‘Protection’ Hook and Ladder Company #1 and the Service Ladder Company #2. Quarters for the housing of horses were provided at the rear of the station when horses, rather than men, drew the engines to the fire scene. Later a ‘drill tower’ was built to provide a training facility to teach all fire fighters the required skills in the use of hand ladders, aerial ladder placement into window and roof areas for rescue, and hose line placement in high rise buildings. In 1938, a rescue squad was assembled by the firefighters at the direction of the City of Stockton Master Mechanic, Myron Saxton, and placed in service to meet the emergency medical needs of the community. (L. Peterson Research, D.O.T.)

Drill Tower Snowfall at Hunter Street The New Central Station

The ‘Main Station’ was closed in 1960, after 106 years, at 26-28 Hunter Street and moved into a much larger quarters and training facilities to meet the needs of a growing city, modernization of firefighting equipment, and technical skills required of firefighters. The main station houses, classrooms, and communication system receiving ‘911’ call for the City of Stockton and other contracting cities and fire districts is located at 110 West Sonora Street between South Commerce Street and South Madison Street. (L. Peterson Research, D.O.T.)

1979 2s. The Back Yard

 

 

Protection Research

We Raise to Save

 

The “Hooks” In 1883 Hook And Ladder Company 1

A committee of June 18, 1850 urged the citizens to contribute money to procure 5 hook and ladders and place them in different parts of town. Subscriptions were raised that purchased on truck and was ready for service on October 8, 1850. The city was unable to persuade men to form a company and consequently the ‘Hook’ was placed in charge of the Street Commissioner and placed at the Court House Square. The Hook was moved when the house on the bridge was completed in February 1851, occupying it jointly with the ‘Webers.’ It was not until November 15, 1851 that Wm. Baker had enrolled thirty men willing to organize and manage the truck and petitioned the council for authority to complete the organization. The petition was granted on condition that they act under the direction of the Chief Engineer J. Nuttman. The ‘Webers’ moved to the temporary Channel Street location, the ‘Hooks’ were joined in a building adjacent to the ‘Eurekas’ at 28 South Hunter Street on February 20, 1854.

(L. Peterson Research, D.O.T.)

 

On April 24, 1920 the Hook & Ladder was the only horse drawn fire equipment still in service [in Stockton]. On April 26, 1924 a new seventy-five foot aerial Ladder Truck was placed in service and the horse drawn Hook & Ladder was retired and repainted glossy white.

(It Happened in Stockton 1900-1925 by Glen A Kennedy)

 

Odds & Ends