Firefighters used hand carts and horses in 1911
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
MARS HILL — From hand carts to modern fire trucks, firefighters with the Mars Hill Fire Department have used it all over the past 100 years, as they worked to protect friends and family, as well as strangers, from fires big and small.
Photo courtesy of Tomi Henderson
VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS PICTURED IN MAY 1915 in Mars Hill, with a hose cart from the era, include, in front, from left: H. Adelman, F.W. Shaw, G.E. Pitcher and Harry Shaw.
Second row: D. Burns, Leon Blackden, A. Sennett and S.B. Green. Third row: G.L. Bell, William Cullins, J.A. Pierce, H.G. Currie, Dale Blackden and Geo. Donnelly.
Back row: H.W. Sylvester, L.E. Sweet, D.F. Cliff, William Dickerson II and H.W. Robinson.
Equipment continues to improve, making the task perhaps not easier but at least safer for those who put their lives on the line. The department now has in inventory two engines — an 1991 International E1 and a 2010 International E1; two tankers — a 1980 2,500-gallon International and a 1995 6,500-gallon Ford; as well as two pick-up trucks — a 2003 Chevy and a 2010 Ford rescue truck. Firefighters also have a relatively new firehouse to call their own, with the completion just a few years ago of the new station, located just behind the Town Office, just off Main Street.
Photo courtesy of Tomi Henderson
THIS CHEVY PUMPER TRUCK, pictured at left, was acquired by the Mars Hill Fire Department on Dec. 8, 1954, and is pictured in front of the former firehouse, located just off Route 1, near the pond.
Today the department is made up of 32 members, under the direction of Chief Darrell Wilson. More than a dozen men have served as chief in the department’s century of service. They include: Everett Sweet, who served from Jan. 1, 1911 through Jan. 17, 1917; Bliss Morton, Jan. 17, 1917 through April 23, 1920; D. Fred Cliff, April 23, 1920 to Jan. 18, 1929; Leo Keenan, Jan. 18, 1929 through Feb. 21, 1934; and Eldon Fenderson, Feb. 21, 1934 to Feb. 21, 1940.
Photo courtesy of Tomi Henderson
MHFD’S 2011 CREW
— Pictured in front of their newest fire truck are some members of the Mars Hill Fire Department.
In front from the left are: Blair McCartney, Chief Darrell Wilson, Second Assistant Chief Bob Collins, Gary White, Junior Fireman Noah Boyington and Jeff Boyington. In the middle are: Bryce Bridges, Seth Prince, First Assistant Chief Artie London, Wayne Shaw, Caleb Grass, Kyle Larrabee, Phil Gray and Mark Graves.
In back: Tim Lawrence, Dennis Larrabee and John McCrum.
Absent from the picture are: Matt Graves, Greg Cousins, First Lt. Stuart Craig, Rudy Bell, Calvin Miller, Barry Dorr, Steve Garrison, Todd Morrin, Bob Lento, Carlton Craig, Gerald Cousins, Paul Miller, Steve Milliard, Ralph Donahue and Tim Larrabee.
Next came Kenneth Currie, who served Feb. 21, 1940 to April 21, 1952; followed by Isaac Straight, from April 21, 1952 to Feb. 21, 1962; and Norman McPherson, Sr., who led the department from Feb. 22, 1962 through Feb. 18, 1976. Norman McPherson Jr. — following in his father’s footsteps — headed the department next, from Feb. 18, 1976 to Nov. 8, 1984.
Duane Grass served from Nov. 8, 1984 through March 6, 1991; then came Barry Dorr from March 6, 1991 to Jan. 8, 1997.
Photo courtesy of Tomi Henderson
Mrs. Grass’s a.m. kindergarten class in 2009, enjoyed a visit with Sparky the Fire Dog during a tour of the Mars Hill Fire Department.
Here, students pose for a picture with Sparky.
Most recently, Arthur London served from Jan. 8, 1997 until Feb. 1, 2009, when Wilson assumed the duties of chief.
(Mars Hill correspondent Tomi Henderson assisted with compiling the above information.)
