Town of New Glasgow, Nova Scotia

NGFD History  The Town of New Glasgow was officially incorporated on November 12, 1875. Prior to that time, residents and store owners on Provost Street and Archimedes Street had experienced two devastating fires on April 19, 1874 and May 23, 1875.

During these fires, New Glasgow had two companies or divisions of fire protection: the hand fire engine company and the hook and ladder company. The hand fire engine company has a captain, a hand bar pumper and a bucket brigade of volunteers. The East River was a close source of water and Church’s livery stable on the corner of Archimedes Street and George Street was nearby. In the 1874 New Glasgow fire, fire fighters assisted and came from Stellarton, Pictou and Westville.

In early January 1876 the town appointed its first fire wardens and fire constables. The fire wardens were Thomas Fraser, “foreman,” John Cumming, Donald Grant, George Forrest MacKay and James W. Carmichael. The first constables were Duncan Cumming, John R. Chisholm, Davis Murray, John Roy, William Smith and John K. Stewart.