Back to the Beginning
Back on April 23rd 1902, in the little town of Clintondale, was the worst fire to ever strike Porter Township. After it was all over, 10 homes were destroyed, along with a church, schoolhouse, warehouse, blacksmith shop, a store, and a creamery. Since there was no fire organization in Porter Township, word was relayed by telegraph to the Logan Fire Company in Bellefonte, PA. With the Logans being over 15 miles away, they started to load their “steamer” on a flat railroad car. During the loading process, an axle was broken. 2 ½ hours later, the Logans arrived by rail in Clintondale. Due to the broken axle, they could not unload the “steamer”, so they left if on the railcar and ran hoses through the remains of the fire. They were the only fire company on scene.
Pictured above: The 1916 Ahrens Fox Pumper purchased from Citizens Hose Company for $300.01
Fast forward through the years, in the fall of 1948, a group of men lead by Jim Wolfe, sent a bid to the Citizens Hose Company in Lock Haven, PA to purchase a retired 1916 Ahrens Fox Pumper. The bid was for $300.01.
On October 21st 1948, a meeting was called, for those interested in forming a “fire committee”. Those present, decided that the fire company should be named, "Nittany Valley Fire Company". At the next meeting a week later, the officers were elected and appointments were made.
President: R.P. Tanner
Vice President: E.L. Harris
Secretary: Irvine Meyer
Treasurer: Cal Breon
Fire Chief: Jim Wolfe
Assistant Chief: E.L. Harris
Foreman: Willard Meyer
1st Assistant: Ben Meyer
2nd Assistant: John Tressler
Soon after the company was formed, they found that in such a rural area without water supply, a tank truck with a mounted pump would be of great value. So in 1951, they purchased a 1,000 gallon tank for $75.00 and a 1938 REO truck for $300.00.
Pictured Above: George Meyer(left) with the tanker-pumper, and E.R. Mabus(right) with the Ahrens Fox Pumper
In 1953 the REO, that had been purchased a few years prior, was in need of replacement. A brand new Dodge truck was purchased for the 1,000 gallon tank to be mounted to. The cost of the new truck was, $2,100 from the A.D. Dickey Company.
By the year 1961, the old “work horse”, the Ahrens Fox Pumper was showing many signs of old age. So members began looking for a replacement. Finally, they found a 1952 International truck, fully equipped for $6,500. Members hated to get rid of the old “fox”, but in 1962, it was sold to a company in Lewistown, PA for $250.00
Pictured Above:(from left to right), Willard "Bud" Meyer, Dean Meyer, George Meyer, in back, John Tressler, and Sam Meyer.
Today, residents only have one number to call for an emergency, but in the early days of Nittany Valley Volunteer Fire Company, most calls were directed to the Mabus home. Which was directly next door to the fire station. They would also be directed to the Meyer home, and Jim Wolfe's store. They would then run to the fire station and sound the siren.
The dedication to the community from members of the Nittany Valley Volunteer Fire Company, past and present are truly amazing!
Pictured Above:(from left to right), Ray James, Harold Moore, Leroy Rupert, Joseph Bartley, Albert Fravel, Charles (Chuck) Zimmerman J.r., and Scott Eisenhower.
Picture taken in 1990
Thanks to the history, Provided from the notes of Boyd Grieb