History of the  Walkersville Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.

            Fire protection for the Town of Walkersville began in 1909 with the formation of the Walkersville Water Company and in coordination with installation of water lines and hydrants was the Walkersville Hose Company and a hand drawn hose reel.  

            The minutes of December 12, 1927 of the Walkersville Hose Company (unincorporated) show that T.R. Saylor was President and Captain was Clyde Fogle.    A re-organization was effected in 1939 and the result in 1940 was the incorporation of the Walkersville Volunteer Fire Co., Inc.   During incorporation in 1940, T.R. Saylor was elected President and Fire Chief was Luther Horine, Sr.

            The first carnival was held in 1940 to raise funds for the a motorized fire engine.  The net profit was approximately  $750.   The company purchased a 1940 Ford piston-type pumper carrying 300 gallons of water at a cost of about $4,000.   The original 1940 Ford fire engine has been restored and is on display in the front of the fire hall

            The tradition of “blue fire apparatus” continues from 1940 until today.   This blue has set the standard and us apart from all other fire companies in Frederick County .   

            The original fire hall was  a garage on Pennsylvania Avenue near the Main Street intersection.    Both the hose reel and the 1940 Fire Engine were stationed in this building.

In 1950, a new fire house a was built at 23 W. Frederick Street (currently the Walkersville Town Office).    The cost of this fire house was $60,000 and was paid off in nine years.    Three  bays were later added to the rear to building for additional apparatus and storage.

        The current fire house was finished in the fall of 1989 with a 20,000 sq. ft. building on the carnival grounds located at 79 W. Frederick Street.  The new fire house features five drive-thru bays and a social hall capable of seating 470. This building cost $1.2 million and was paid off in eight years.

                     From 1940 thru 1965 the annual carnival was held the week of July 4th on the old elementary/high school grounds at 44 W. Frederick Street.    In February 1966, 30 acres of land was purchased from the David Hoke farm for further expansion of the fire company properties. A food building was erected by its members and ready for the 1966 carnival in July.   A highlight of every carnival year since 1952 has been the gigantic fireworks display The fireworks have been fired by a three-generation Walkersville family, Luther Horine Sr., Luther Horine, Jr., and Luke Horine. 

            In 1974 a combination stage/rest rooms/storage building was constructed with most of the work being completed by company members under the direction of Charles Miller. In 1977 a bingo/multi-purpose building was built and once again the work was completed by fire company members under the direction of Ray Dayhoff.    Other early improvements to the property were to  provide a sidewalk along the front of the property for children walking to school and placing electric wires underground and service updated.    

            From 1960 - 1975 a group of 25 - 35 members were a part of the  “The Men in Blue”,  the Fire Company Marching Unit which traveled to many area parades.  The Marching Unit was very competitive and all prize money was donated to the fire company for equipments and upgrades.

            In 1977 the Walkersville Volunteer  Fire Company assisted in the formation of the Walkersville Volunteer Rescue Co. (Community Ambulance Co.) The Rescue Company's first quarters were built on the carnival grounds in 1979  mostly by its members with the guidance of Ray Dayhoff.

            In the 1980's the first women became members of the fire company and took an active role in firefighting and administrative duties. 

            The saddest day of our history happened on April 2, 1987 when our firefighter, Winona (Winnie) Crum, was killed in action while answering an emergency call.   She was the first female firefighter to lose her life in the line of duty in the State of Maryland.

         Being an all volunteer fire company means we must raise funds to finance all apparatus, fire halls, carnival grounds, buildings, equipment and all associated expenses.   Besides the annual carnival the fire company members have sponsored dinners, banquets, bingo, hall and ground rent, raffles, donations, and other miscellaneous ways to raise funds.  

   A quote that was written in the 1950 new Fire Hall dedication program still holds true today: 

“Always characteristic of Walkersville has been its community pride, and nowhere has this spirit been evidenced more than among the Members of the Fire Company”  

 The Walkersville Volunteer Fire Company #11 continues today, after more than 75 years, to be an all-volunteer Fire Company serving its first due area residents and surrounding communities with a full and complete fire and emergency service.