Program

NYS Historic

Subject

Event, Site

Location

181 Main St, Newfield, NY 14867, USA

Lat/Long

42.361907, -76.590756

Grant Recipient

Newfield Historical Society

The town of Newfield, a rural community outside of Ithaca, New York, is home to a small unincorporated village. Starting in the 1850s, the village was known for its flourishing local businesses. However, on June 15^th, 1875, a massive blaze wreaked havoc on the commercial hub. The fire broke out in a main street building and quickly consumed the structure. The flames were fueled and spread by strong winds, consuming a neighboring hotel and several stores. Without a fire department, the village was left to smolder for over four hours until the Ithaca Fire Department arrived. Residents attempted to fend off the fire by soaking carpets in water and draping them over houses. They were able to save a few structures this way, but the damage was severe. A total of $80,000 was lost across twenty buildings, including many businesses and crucial records.

The Newfield Baptist Church also fell victim to an uncontrolled fire in February 1917. A small blaze was ignited by an overheated furnace in the church basement and slowly overtook the building. Since the village still lacked standard firefighting resources, the Ithaca Fire Department could not arrive in time, and the church was destroyed. Ithaca firefighters also had no obligation to respond to fires outside the city limits, which may have delayed the rescue even further. After this devastating event, Newfield taxpayers voted to raise $400 to buy a chemical fire engine for the town.

The new firefighting apparatus was put to the test on April 20^th, 1917, when a bonfire grew out of control and nearly burned down a home on South St. The fire was quickly extinguished by the newly organized Newfield Fire Company and their chemical firefighting equipment.

The Upper Mill, a large flour and grist mill in Newfield, was set ablaze the following year when a lighted lantern ignited a gas tank and exploded. The mill was quickly engulfed by the flames, as the grain fueled the fire. Nothing could be salvaged, and the owner lost $2,000 worth of wheat, two tons of buckwheat flour, and other grains. The fire also struck a nearby home, but it was soon saved by the fire department.

On May 18^th, 1925, the village was afflicted by yet another devastating fire. Although the Newfield Fire Department was summoned, the town’s small, hand-drawn chemical engine could not control the intense blaze. The flames swept through six buildings and destroyed the homes and livelihoods of several residents. The damages amounted to about $30,000.

This series of disasters prompted the town to modernize the Fire Department and improve response times. By 1940, the Newfield Fire Co. was incorporated, and a Fire Protection District was formed.

For more information, please contact the Newfield Historical Society at: newfieldarchives@gmail.com