I remember the days my Dad, Carl Sillanpaa, was Fire Chief and Fire Warden. I spent time playing pool upstairs the old Fire Dept. building. I also was a member the Junior Fire Fighters. Teens were trained to fire fight as added fire fighting manpower under the direction of one of the firemen. We also were organized to do lost people searches since mountain hiking trails went through New Ipswich. At that time in New Hampshire history the Fire Warden was responsible for lost hiker searches.
I recall one event when our family return home from visiting my uncle in Merrimack to see a note on the kitchen table (you didn't lock your door in those days) saying a search party was being organized to find two lost woman up in "Finn Country:" My dad and I went out there and found a crowd of people being organized by the State Police. An argument ensued when my dad announced he was in charge. After the police checked with their superiors my dad took over. He then announced that everyone should go home and return at dawn the next morning. He said he didn't want anyone else getting lost. The next morning he was up before dawn and found the ladies sitting along side a logging trail 1 mile off the paved road. He knew most people will travel on a trail if they find one. They were heading to their parked car and had run out of daylight to get there.
The New Ipswich Water Witch used to sit in the rear of the old fire station. I add a new mystery to its story. About ten years ago an old friend (John Koski, former N.I. resident) and I toured a Fire Museum in Ypsilanti, MI. The curator claimed the Water Witch they had restored and on display in the museum was New Ipswich's which they had retrieved from a barn in Ashby, MA. We have photos of ourselves and the witch. I wonder which story is the truth?
I remember the days my Dad, Carl Sillanpaa, was Fire Chief and Fire Warden. I spent time playing pool upstairs the old Fire Dept. building. I also was a member the Junior Fire Fighters. Teens were trained to fire fight as added fire fighting manpower under the direction of one of the firemen. We also were organized to do lost people searches since mountain hiking trails went through New Ipswich. At that time in New Hampshire history the Fire Warden was responsible for lost hiker searches.
I recall one event when our family return home from visiting my uncle in Merrimack to see a note on the kitchen table (you didn't lock your door in those days) saying a search party was being organized to find two lost woman up in "Finn Country:" My dad and I went out there and found a crowd of people being organized by the State Police. An argument ensued when my dad announced he was in charge. After the police checked with their superiors my dad took over. He then announced that everyone should go home and return at dawn the next morning. He said he didn't want anyone else getting lost. The next morning he was up before dawn and found the ladies sitting along side a logging trail 1 mile off the paved road. He knew most people will travel on a trail if they find one. They were heading to their parked car and had run out of daylight to get there.
The New Ipswich Water Witch used to sit in the rear of the old fire station. I add a new mystery to its story. About ten years ago an old friend (John Koski, former N.I. resident) and I toured a Fire Museum in Ypsilanti, MI. The curator claimed the Water Witch they had restored and on display in the museum was New Ipswich's which they had retrieved from a barn in Ashby, MA. We have photos of ourselves and the witch. I wonder which story is the truth?
Great historical article. The firemen of the 40s, I remember them. The town was fortunate to have men like them.
Does anyone know more about the Jail Cells in the old Fire Station?
Big THANKS to Dean Lizotte for sending us these great articles!