Vigilant Fire Company Firemen's Monument facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Vigilant Fire Company Firemen's Monument
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Vigilant Fire Company Firemen's Monument. June 2013.
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | Union Cemetery W side of PA 873, approx. 1/3 mil S of Slatington, Washington Township, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1909 |
| Built by | Scheirer, Frank A. |
| NRHP reference No. | 04000838 |
| Added to NRHP | August 11, 2004 |
The Vigilant Fire Company Firemen's Monument is a special historical monument located in Washington Township, Pennsylvania. It's a tall, impressive structure that honors firefighters. This monument was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004, which means it's recognized as an important historical site in the United States.
A Special Monument's Story
This monument was built in 1909 and officially opened on September 16, 1909. It stands 16 feet tall and is made of granite, a very strong type of stone. The monument sits on a concrete base in a spot chosen by the fire company because it could be easily seen from the road.
A local stone mason named Frank Scheirer created this monument. It cost $2,200 to build, which was a lot of money back then! The monument features a 7-foot-tall statue of a firefighter from the early 1900s. The statue shows a fireman with a mustache, a pointed fire hat, a fire coat, and boots. He is holding a young girl in his arms. Arthur Scranton, a member of the Vigilant Fire Company, was in charge of setting up the monument.
The monument was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. This is a list of places across the United States that are important to history.
Resting Place for Heroes
The area where the monument stands was first planned as a burial site for firefighters who might have faced money problems or didn't have family to care for them when they passed away. Later, the plan changed to allow any career or volunteer firefighter to be buried there.
So far, three firefighters have been buried at this special spot. Their names are Harry J. Henritzy, Marcus Hessman, and Theodore Hoffman. You can see photos of their gravestones in the gallery below.
Gallery
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Tombs of firemen
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Tomb of Harry J. Henritzy (1881-1941)
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Tomb of Marcus Hessman (1861-1942)
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Tomb of Theodore Hoffman (1873-1947)
