Argyle Hose

ARGYLE HOSE COMPANY NO. 3

The Argyle Hose Company #3 was organized on February 4, 1899, by fourteen charter members. The charter members were: E. Albin, W. Biggs, A. Davis, E. Davis, E. Day, J. Grohs, N. Grohs, W. Holbrook, P. Jommes, L. Miller, E. Pearsall, W. Smith and E. Taylor.

The first meeting place was the Argyle Hotel stables located on the north side of the Argyle Lake on Trolley Line Road, and was shortly shifted to the Argyle Hotel water tower. On September 15, 1900, the company borrowed $250 from William Smith for three years at 6 percent interest to purchase the property on corner of Little East Neck Road and Highland Place. The original building there belonged to the old South Shore Club. This building and property became the new headquarters of the Argyle Hose Company.

In 1923,room grew short and expansion became necessary so the company increased the mortgage on the house and it was enlarged. A series of box socials and dances were held to raise money to pay back the mortgage. Profits were generally small on these events. As a matter of fact, on May 29, 1902, a dance was held as a fund raiser, refreshments were 5 quarts of ice cream, and the total profit was $1.60. Finally, in 1925, enough money had been raised and the mortgage was paid off, the house belonged to the Argyle Hose Company officially.

The house is still owned and maintained by the Argyle Hose Company today and houses the latest of 5 pieces of equipment the company has had over the years. The first equipment was a 2 wheel cart built by A.J. Weeks. We modernized to a 4 wheel horse drawn rig, then sometime down the line, horsepower turned to gas power, and we received a Brockway motorized fire truck. In 1931, the company received a super modern American LaFrance 750 gallon per minute pumper. This, at the time was the pride of the department, being one of the largest pumpers around. It faithfully served the company and community until February of 1959 when the company received the truck it has in service today, a Mack B-95 1000 G.P.M. pumper.

The Argyle Hose has been, along with the rest of the companies of this fine Fire Department, a vital asset to the community over the past years and looks forward to many more years of dedicated service to the Babylon Fire Department and Babylon Village.

In 1905, the company switched to a 4-wheel Horse-drawn Rig which increased response time and saved the men from the exhaustion of pulling the rigs to alarms.

February 1, 1935 a major fire raced through the entire corner of Main Street and Deer Park Ave. During World War II, the Argyle Hose Company lost several key members to military service. During this time the Argyle Hose Company maintained its firefighting duties as well as Civil Defense Duties. Because of their “Patriotic Duty” during this period of National Emergency, the Company was awarded a Certificate of Merit from the Suffolk County War Council.

After the war, the Company added to its roster a total of 30 men. Also, thankfully, all of our military members returned home safely.

On August 4, 1952, the Company received its Certificate of Incorporation from New York State.

In 1958, the Argyle Hose Company petitioned and successfully defended the need to purchase a new fire truck to replace the 1931 American La France.

In 1959, the Argyle Hose Company received a brand new 1959 B-95 Mack 1000 G.P.M. Pumper. The truck cost the village $23,000.00. This truck was the largest pumper in the area and the pride of the department. The truck has served the department and community up to the present.

On May 11, 1974, the Argyle Hose Company #3 celebrated its 75^th Anniversary with a Cocktail Party/Prime Rib Dinner which was held at Headquarters. Members and guests in attendance were given “Fireman’s Prayer” plaques.

In August of 1988, members of the Company and the Fire Department Drill team took our 1959 Mack to Westhampton Beach Fire Dept.’s Tournament. The truck took two 1^st place trophies and a 2^nd place trophy in the following categories: 1^st –Motor Hose “A”, 1^st—“Midnight Alarm,” and 2^nd—Motor Pump “A,” the truck still showing that it had “legs.”

Today the Company operates a 1993 Pierce Lance 1500 GPM Pumper with a 6 Man crew cab.

The Argyle Hose Company celebrated it's 100^th Anniversary in 1999.