Augusta Fire Department Ledgers, 1906-1971

Collection

Collection number: MS-159

Scope and Contents

Material includes two (2) fire alarm ledgers, and one (1) personnel ledger. Ledger one (1) covers the dates 1906-1923 and ledger two (2) from 1924-1937. Both ledgers record daily fire alarm calls and details about the fire including date, time, address, occupants, property owner(s), and the cause of the fire. Other details include the type of structure (wood, brick, etc.), and whether it was a business, residence, warehouse, hotel, church, etc. Details about damage, cost, and insurance payouts are also recorded. Ledger three (3) is a record of personnel information for employees of the Augusta Fire Department from the late nineteenth century until the late twentieth century.

Dates

1906 - 1971

Creator

Augusta Fire Department (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

Material is fragile

Biographical / Historical

The ledgers were on loan from the Augusta Fire Department until the digitization process with the Digital Library of Georgia (DLG) was complete. Two of the ledgers have been digitized and are available here: https://dlg.usg.edu/collection/gaec_agfdl?f%5Bprovenance_facet%5D%5B%5D=Augusta-Richmond+County+Public+Library

The Augusta Fire Department is the second oldest in the state, behind Savannah. According to the Augusta Chronicle (March 19, 1906, pg. 5), “Its first fire engine was procured in London in January, 1805, followed two months later by another procured in New York. The same year the first ordinance was adopted providing for the protection of the city from fire…. In 1808 the city decided to pay the pipemen of each company $6 per annum…” see article for complete history up to 1906.

Extent

3 boxes

Language

English

Additional Description

Related Materials

https://dlg.usg.edu/record/dlg_vang_ric198

See AUGUSTA CHRONICLE digital archive (March 19, 1906, pg. 5, column 3).

https://dlg.usg.edu/recordscollection_record_id=dlg_sanb&f%5Bcounties_facet%5D%5B%5D=Richmond&only_path=true