Morgan Hill - Historic Photographs - Page 1

Prior to its contracting with County Fire in 1993, Morgan Hill had a paid call fire department. The Morgan Hill Fire Department was established on 17 January 1907; in June a hose cart was purchased. In November of 1908 a 36" fire bell was ordered for a cost of $70.81; in February 1914 the use of this bell to signal curfews was discontinued due to firefighters mistaking its ringing for a fire alarm.

On 15 May 1917 a combination chemical truck was purchased. This truck was eventually sold to the Burbank Fire District for $1000 on 22 June 1926. On 1 December 1920 the town purchased a Ford La France Type E combination chemical fire truck for the sum of $1420. In 1926 the town passed a resolution that prohibited the city's fire trucks from leaving the city limits.

A truck alarm system was installed in 1967. Dispatching via Santa Clara County Communications was established in 1968. Dispatching was changed to via CDF from 1970 until contracting with County Fire. The El Toro fire station was constructed in 1975, and the Dunne Hill station in 1978.

Morgan Hill's Chiefs:

Chief Spencer's uniform can be seen on exhibit at the Morgan Hill Historical Museum.

top photo: Santa Clara County Fire Dept Archive

all others: Wayne Sorenson Collection

Five shots of Morgan Hill's 1926 Seagrave Model 6-B Suburbanite, with a 500gpm (1895 l/m) pump and a 90 gallon(340 l) tank. The first shot is the factory delivery photo, 1926. Delivery number 43659. The second and third are pre-restoration; the last two post-restoration. This engine was retired from fire duty in 1957, and used by the Public Works Department as a water tanker, eventually left to rot on an old sewer farm. It was restored by volunteer firefighters at the Live Oak High School.

both: Santa Clara County Fire Dept Archive

Former fire station, in service from 1930-1974, located at the corner of West Main Avenue and Monterey Street. It was demolished 9 January 1975. This building also housed, simultaneously, Public Works, California Department of Forestry (CDF) from 1938-1953, City Hall, and the Morgan Hill Rural Fire District. Left photo from a 1975 newspaper article. Right photo October 1969.

Santa Clara County Fire Dept Archive

First aid truck, 1940s. This Ford carried a stretcher and resuscitator. Chief Lee Rosa on left.

Santa Clara County Fire Dept Archive

Department personnel lineup, 1946-7, in front of 1946 Dodge/Van Pelt. Chief Lee Rosa is in white hat, front row second from right. The man in the suit is currently unidentified.

Wayne Sorenson Collection

Morgan Hill's 1946 Dodge/Van Pelt, now painted yellow, with a 500gpm (1895 l/m) pump and an 1100 gallon (4170 l) tank.

Santa Clara County Fire Dept Archive

Informal photo of department personnel, 1948. Chief Lee Rosa at left with uniform hat.

Wayne Sorenson Collection

This Morgan Hill 1949 Reo is an ex-CDF brush rig. It had a 250gpm (950 l/m) pump.

Wayne Sorenson Collection

Two views of 1956 Dodge/Van Pelt parked in front of the Morgan Hill fire house. It had a 750gpm 2840 l/m) pump and carried 200 gallons (760 l) of water.

Santa Clara County Fire Dept Archive

Department personnel lineup, 1958, in front of 1956 Dodge/Van Pelt. Chief Lee Rosa is front row, fourth from left.

photo: Chuck Madderom

Wayne Sorenson Collection

Morgan Hill had this 1964 GMC/Van Pelt engine, with a 1000gpm (3790 l/m) pump and a 300 gallon (1135 l) tank. Painted red, and without a roof, it ran as engine 1. Later, repainted yellow and with a cab roof installed, it ran as engine 133. Two views of it in each livery are shown here.

all: Santa Clara County Fire Dept Archive

Three shots of engine 133 at a volunteer drill. Photo circa 1975.