A CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF THE LEONARDTOWN
VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

By Thomas A. Mattingly, Sr.

It is with great pride that we now, fifty years after its brave inception, add to this original story of our “Boys” in the department.

Realizing the need for money to pay for their first Seagrave, the men began, in 1929, to hold a carnival each year. 1932 saw the first outdoor carnival and, in 1940, the first ride was purchased. This Merry-Go-Round is still in use. As finances permitted, they purchased the lot, more rides, and built the buildings to house the concessions. Forty-nine years later, the department owns six rides and the carnival is its main source of income.

Over the next few years, Leonardtown continued to serve well not only the community, but the entire county. Traveling to Point Lookout on the one end and Charlotte Hall on the other, they were often frustrated to find they had arrived too late to be of much help.

Time and the need for more space prompted the building of a new firehouse in 1934. This “modern” brick building was located on Fenwick Street, next to the Fenwick Motor Co., and the old galvanized metal building, which had been our first home, was moved across the street.

As the “Boys” became men and were joined by other boys, the department continued to grow. A second Seagrave Pumper, Engine 13, was purchased in 1937 to replace “Old Betsy,” who had worn out. This same year another group of “Boys,” in the village of Mechanicsville to the north, realized the need for protection closer to home and Co.2, Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department, was established. This aid to the Leonardtown department was greatly appreciated by the local boys.

Not only was the department growing, but so, too, was the county. With the building of the Naval Air Station at Patuxent River in 1942, a new town was born. Lexington Park sprang up like a mushroom, and the influx of Navy and civilian personnel prompted the Navy to instigate the third department for the county. Lexington Park department, Co. 3, now called “Bay District,” took some of the pressure off of the Leonardtown men as they became first due in the lower county. Co. 3 was followed in rapid succession over a few short years by Co. 4, Ridge; Co. 5, Seventh District; Co. 6, Second District; and Co. 7, Hollywood.

The war years were hard for the department with the pinch of unavailability of young men, but the department continued to move ahead. In 1947, a used Government surplus Chevrolet truck was purchased. This became Engine No. 14.

In March of 1948, the Rating Bureau reported to a proud department that we were second to none in the State in towns of equal size.

The years rolled by and trucks had to be replaced. In 1951 our third Seagrave, a 750 GPM pumper was purchased. Engine No. 15 joined our company.

By 1954, even the “modern” quarters had been outgrown, and plans were made to “add-on.” However, the addition was postponed and another site, located on Lawrence Avenue, was purchased.

1956 brought disaster to Leonardtown, as the historic old Hotel St. Mary’s burned. Aided by the men and equipment from the Navy and the other county departments, the men were able to save the buildings on either side. And, although fortunately no lives were lost, the old Hotel was doomed.

Equipment continued to be a big item for the department. In 1957, determined to give the very best protection possible to their community, another Seagrave pumper, Engine No. 16, was purchased.

The following year, the town having grown considerably, a siren was placed on Green Brier Road to be sure the men in that end of town would hear the call to duty.

The late 50’s and early 60’s were proud years for the department, as Clinton Duke honored it with many Fire Prevention awards, not only locally, but on the State Level as well.

Hard work in the training field, as well as in the procurement of equipment, was necessary to keep the department at the top of the list. Along with the hard work came a little luck in 1964 as the Southern Maryland Oil Co. announced it had a used tank truck available. Leonardtown and one other company put in a request for same. Who to give the truck to became a problem, and so it was decided to flip a coin. Leonardtown won the toss! Thus, Tanker No. 1 joined the department. More equipment meant more space was needed, and the “modern” quarters which had seemed so large in 1934, had become entirely too cramped. A new “modern” building, our present quarters, was built on Lawrence Ave. and a last farewell was said to the Fenwick Street site in 1965.

Brush and woods fires continued to plague the county and all too often the pumpers were too large and heavy to get in to the scene. In 1968, our first 4-wheel drive brush truck was purchased from the Swab Wagon Co.

The late 60’s and early 70’s found Tommy Mattingly taking Clinton Duke’s place in Fire Prevention honors. It was during this time that Leonardtown became the first town in the State with the slogan “Stop Fires – Save Lives” on its water tower in 1969. It was also in 1969 that the Leonardtown department designed a Fire Prevention patch to be worn by all members of the Fire Prevention Committee. This patch was later adopted by the Southern Maryland Firemen’s Association and the Maryland State Firemen’s Association.

Again in 1971, the need to update our equipment became apparent, and a new Seagrave pumper was ordered. This became Engine No. 17.

Continued growth of the department, both in training and equipment, remained the aim of the department, and in 1973, a new Ford Tanker built by Oren was purchased.

The men having disposed of the old panel truck several years ago, the Ladies Auxiliary saw the need for a pick-up truck. So, with a little encouragement from the men, Utility 1 was purchased by the Ladies and donated to the men in 1975. Also in 1975 Rescue 1, a 1975 Ford built by Swab Wagon Co. was housed in our quarters. This Rescue truck, owned by the St. Mary’s County Civil Defense, is operated by the men of our department.

In this our Anniversary year, the department has added a new Jeep following a series of used surplus jeeps over the years.

The members of the department are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the newest pumper, Engine No. 11, which is still in the Seagrave factory.

Long hours of hard work and training, a continual updating of equipment and constant growth of the department will continue to make the department one of the best.

To the men who had the foresight to establish this great department we say “Thank You.” To those who have continued to make it grow we say, “Well done.” With men whose keen interest and devotion to duty make the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department the best, we know it will continue to grow and serve well this county and community.