History of the monument

The monument to York's 11 fallen firefighting heroes is in the yard of the Fire Museum of York County. With a lantern held high, as if looking for an exit, the statue faces the building, its back to the main street.

The statue was moved to this site in 1981 from its original site across from William Penn High School.

In 1900, "The Rescue (fire company) dedicated an impressive statue in Penn Common to perpetuate its memory and that of firemen," says the history of York City Fire Department.

"Situated on a large granite pedestal was a life-size bronze figure of a Rescue fireman in full uniform, carrying an infant in his arms." In 1928 it was turned over to the city in honor of all city firefighters.

When moved in 1981, "It was dismantled stone by stone. A mason named Jerry Crane donated his time," said museum president George Kroll.

There almost was a 12th name on the fireman's monument, but it turned out to be a "false alarm."

In February of 1904, Laurel and Vigilant Fire companies sent crews to Baltimore, by train, to help battle a huge fire that consumed more than 140 acres of downtown Baltimore.

The Gazette called it "the most sever firefighting test the firemen ever experienced."

One York man, Jacob Ilgenfritz, was first reported dead in the fire, but he in fact lived.

The Fire Museum has several remnants of what is referred to as The Great Baltimore Fire: a melted typewriter and a clock.

But why is the statue of the fireman facing the building, and not the street?

"In the fire service, it's a long standing tradition to rise ofr a moment of silence," during meetings and such, said Kroll, "and face the direction of the setting sun in honor of our fallen comrades."

Originally printed Oct. 5, 1997 in the York Sunday News