D.E. Ladow Steamer Company #2

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By a general vote in 1883, the citizens of the Village of Mechanicville provided funds for the purchase of an 1871 Button Steamer and to organize a company to handle the new piece of equipment. This action gace way to the D. E. LaDow Steamer Company which was formally organized in 1883. The company was named after Daniel E. LaDow, a former village president and a man active in village affairs during the latter part of the nineteenth century. Within a short period of time following their establishment, the LaDows took a leading part in protecting the community, and their burnished and shining steamer soon became a firemanic tradition throughout the sector, many times being summoned to aid in subduing major conflagrations in nearby communities. In October 1884, one year after the formation of the D. E. LaDows, the Mechanicville Fire Department was formed and officially organized.

At the turn of the century the LaDow Company was rated one of the best volunteer fire companies in Northern New York, and boasted a membership of seventy-five honorary and active members. While detracting in no measure from the skill and enthusiasm of LaDow firemen, it can be safely said that a great deal of the company's reputation was built upon the achievements of its steam pumper, which was "invited" to many famous Northern New York fires. Its superlative performance during the fighting of a wood-pile blaze in the early 1900's at Hudson Falls has helped to maintain its reputation far into the years of its retirement.

The LaDow's outfit was the second Mechanicville fire company to relinquish its colorful horses and become definitely mechanized and motorized, securing a large Pierce Arrow truck on March 13, 1912. The truck was equipped as a hose wagon, and was proudly sported by younger members, but the big gun of the company and of the department was still the steam pumper, and when things got too hot it was still on the job. In 1938, the Pierce-Arrow gave way to a Brockway which was used as a "trade in" for a 1954 Maxim. In 1982, the company ordered a new fire truck from Maxim Motors with a pumping capacity of 1250 g.p.m. which was painted the new safety color — lime yellow.The LaDows were first housed in a station at the present day City Hall site on Main St. which was then turned into a combine of the City Hall and fire company in one building. Today the LaDow's reside with two other fire companies in the Central Fire Station across the street from their old home.

-The Mechanicville Fire Department would like to extend its appreciation to the work of John H. Maloney and Hal Sheehan regarding the history of the department.