Fireworks at the Powder Farm
Tuesday, July 3, 1934
A storage structure at the Winchester powder farm off Putnam Avenue was destroyed the day before Fourth of July in 1934, when about 600 lbs. of gun powder exploded due to "spontaneous combustion." An airplane over the area was rocked by the resulting concussion, according to its pilot, Fred Fowler. According to this Hartford Courant article, six pieces of Hamden fire apparatus responded to the incident.
The Winchester powder farm was located generally within the Whitneyville area bounded by Putnam Avenue, Dixwell Avenue, Treadwell Street and Clifford Street, where Leeder Hill Drive is today. The area was cleared of Winchester buildings in the mid-1960s.
Originally posted 6/29/2018
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| The Hartford Courant, Wednesday, July 4, 1934 |
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Hamden Fire Department
Apparatus Inventory
July 1934
Station 1 – Highwood
Engine 1 – 1926 Maxim 500 g.p.m. pumper
Hook & Ladder – 1926 Maxim city service ladder truck
Station 2 – Humphrey
Engine 2 - 1919 Seagrave 750 g.p.m. pumper
Station 3 – Whitneyville
Engine 3 – 1928 Maxim 750 g.p.m. pumper
Station 4 (Headquarters) – Centerville
Engine 4 – 1925 Seagrave 350 g.p.m. pumper
Station 5 – Mt. Carmel
Engine 5 – 1930 Maxim 600 g.p.m. pumper
Patrol Wagon - 1921 Packard Twin-6
Station 6 – Merritt Street
Engine 6 – 1924 Stutz 350 g.p.m. pumper
Station 7 – Mix District
Engine 7 – 1918 Stewart Chemical Truck (formerly of Co. 1)
Station 8 – Dunbar Hill
Engine 8 – 1918 Stewart Chemical Truck (formerly of Co. 5)
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