Historic Hallowell

The fire department and police department have been part of Hallowell's history and heritage for a long time. Though the police department has been around longer, the Fire Club was the oldest fire organization started by Benjamin Franklin. The musters and carnivals were a way of raising money for the Fire Club. The technology was primitive in those days with only buckets used to put out fires. Later, the fire department added hand tubs to the roster which put out fires quicker and more effectively. Much later, the handtubs were replaced with close to modern fire engines. Hallowell was one of the last towns in Maine to purchase their modern fire engine. The history of the fire department and police department are important to Hallowell's heritage.