Thursday - June 24: The "Steelhounds" of the National Guard's 583rd Military Police Detachment, represented by Wellsville's Sgt. Todd Farnsworth, presented a flag that is certified to have flown in Baghdad, Iraq, to the Friends of the Old Fire Station. Sgt. Farnsworth and members of the Friends held a flag raising ceremony yesterday evening at the station.
With a little help from the community the Friends have been putting in a lot of work to get the old place spiffied up in time to hold an open house during next week's All-Class Reunion. They have been cleaning, doing a little painting and renovating the premises. Friends President Don Rawlings announced they will be ready for the public to visit during two days of open house on Wednesday, June 30, and Thursday, July 1. The open house will be held from 10 A.M. to 3 P.M. on those two days.
The building itself was originally built in 1867 and was the first Catholic church in town. When the members of the Immaculate Conception Church moved down to 11th Street in 1906 the old church was given to the City of Wellsville. The City converted it into a fire station and moved the fire department into the building in 1908. They remained there until the early 70s when the department was moved to it's present location. The building was then used for storage of Village equipment and salt supplies for several years. Then in the mid-1980s Village officials were considering razing the historic structure.
That's when the Friends of the Old Station were formed and petitioned Village Council to take over the old building promising to maintain & preserve this piece of Wellsville history. Led by President Brassy Beresford and a group of other volunteers, they went to work with fund raising to save the place. Earlier this year there was a changing of the guard for the organization.
New officers were selected to carry on the efforts. Today's officers are President Rawlings, V.P. Kris Vallera, Treasurer Steve Vallera, Secretary Greg Stanley, Historian Bob Lloyd and Trustees Jason Smith & Marsha Eisenhart. We believe there is one other Trustee but failed to get the name. Sorry 'bout that. These officers got right to work soliciting donations and making plans to get ready for the open house. Many others stepped forward offering their assistance with pressure washing, cleaning, painting and whatever else was needed. Chief Tim Roush from the Highlandtown VFD even donated time lending a hand. That's mutual aid above & beyond...
The Martin-MacLean-Altmeyer Funeral Home donated the "new" fence railing, former WFD Fire Chief Barry Arbaugh donated the new flag pole and Bill Helfrich gave the cement to anchor the fence posts and flag pole.
Sgt. Farnsworth seeing a flag was needed stopped by to donate one that he brought home from his last tour in Iraq. Seen in the pictures here, that particular fly flew over the Victory Base Complex in Baghdad, Iraq, on July 4, 2008. Farnsworth has served two tours over there and says the Victory Base Complex is Iraq's former dictator Saddam Hussein's palace.
Also shown is the certificate presented to the Friends and Farnsworth doing the flag raising. In the group photo kneeling is Farnsworth & VFD member Kris Vallera. From the left, in the back, is Barry Arbaugh, Bonny Beresford, Rawlings, Debbie Koffel from Martin-MacLean-Altmeyer, Historian Bob Lloyd and Past President Robert "Brassy" Beresford.
Featured in the station is a Village owned 1950 Seagraves Fire Truck and the first truck owned by the Wellsville VFD, a 1941 Chevy. Both trucks have been retired from service. The Chevy is Bob Lloyd's baby. Also on display are many historic pictures and news papers stories. The public is invited and admission is free of charge. If you can spare some cash to drop in the can it will be greatly appreciated. Regardless, everyone is welcome to stop by next Wednesday or Thursday.
ole nib
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