History:
The Lincroft Fire Company was organized in May of 1932 by an enthusiastic and persistent group of men who saw the need for better fire protection in the growing residential area from Newman Springs bridge west to the Holmdel boundary at Everett Road, and from Swimming River and Phalanx bridges north to the Edwin H. Brasch farm. This area had been previously served by Middletown No.1, River Plaza Hose Company, Holmdel Fire Company, and Westside Hose Company of Red Bank, NJ.
Robert Cook of Hance Avenue, Tinton Falls, NJ, who owned property in Lincroft, was one of the prime movers in organizing the company. He later helped organize the North Side Fire Company of Tinton Falls.
Mr. Cook was the first president of the Lincroft Fire Company, and the first meetings were held at the old Triangle Inn, where the Lincroft Exxon station stands today. Later the company met at Lagendorf's service station, now used by William Kohl as a storage garage. Other first officers were Russell Craft, vice-president; Harry Sprung, treasurer; and Philip Roy, secretary.
The lot where the firehouse now stands was purchased from the late J.E.C. Layton and Mrs. Layton for $500.00. The money for the purchase was raised at dances, suppers, cake sales, etc. Approximately $500.00 was turned over to the Fire Company from the then defunct Lincroft Community Club. The Community Club, which was a civic and social organization, had raised the bulk of its money through a coupon contest conducted by the Red Bank stores. So many coupons were issued with each purchase, and at the end of a certain period of time, the person with the greatest number of coupons won a cash prize. The Community Club was one of the top prize winners. The coupons were the fore-runners of the yellow and green stamps.
The first fire truck purchased was a chain-driven Brockway pumper, and the purchase was made October 4,1933. The next piece of motorized equipment added was a Packard hose cart, donated by Hugo Pfaltz.
The Brockway pumper gave faithful service for several years, and the Packard hose cart was featured in many a hose-laying contest throughout the county. The prices won in these contests didn't quite equal in number the injuries sustained. In retrospect few of the injuries were serious, most were minor and some embarrassing.
The company was admitted to the Middletown Township Fire Department in 1934 as Company No.10, thereby receiving a regular allotment of Township flinds.
The fire house was designed by Oscar Silverstone, Brooklyn architect, and was built by Edward S. Klausner of Asbury Park. The first mortgage on the fire house was $5,500.00. The fire house was dedicated with elaborate ceremonies Sunday, October 25, l936. Several hundred firemen attended the dedication.
A new White pumper was purchased in 1941 for $3,800.00 from Ernie Day of Dunellen. Unable to borrow money for the purchase of the truck from local banks, a chattel mortgage was taken on the equipment by one of the members of the company. A second larger White pumper was purchased in 1955 for $16,000.00.
In 1960, a three bay engine room was added on to the fire house, to accommodate larger vehicles, and to give the membership a larger facility to operate out of. In 1966 the company purchased a 1000 gpm Mack pumper for $28,000.
In 1968 at the installation dinner the company recognized Adolph Braun, Henery Carney, (who were charter members) for 35 years of service. Also recognized were Matthew Mullin who served over 30 years.
In 1970 the company purchased a used Dodge brush utility truck for $12,000.00. At that point the company retired the 1941 White.
In September of 1972 the company ordered a 1250 gpm Young diesel pumper for $55,000.00. In April of 1973 the company sold the 1955 White which the Young was to be replacing. Unfortunately due to a heavy demand in certain parts (engine), the company did not take delivery of the Young until May of 1974. To compound this, the axle in the Dodge broke, and it took several months to get it repaired. At that point it only left the company with the Mack pumper. The company was able to get by with the help of the Port Moumouth Fire Company, who loaned the company a 1936 Chevrolet pumper. It was with this truck the company was able to get additional manpower and equipment out. The truck was used from November 1973 to May 1974. In July 1974 the company sold the Dodge because of it's axle problems.
In January of 1977 the company was involved in one of the hardest to fight fires in its history. It was at Marlu Farms, with 4 below zero gusty winds and poor access due to snow. Result - injuries mostly due to exposure, 21 hours of pumping, and many man hours. The company was grateful that the injured recovered in a short time, and that the fire did not spread to nearby buildings.
Lincroft Fire Company is fortunate to have a good ladies auxilary, which they are very grateful for. They are also very fortunate to have help from their neighbors - River Plaza Hose Company, Middletown No.1, and the other fine companies in the Township and surrounding communities.