New Home for Monmouth Beach Firefighters
Always Ready & Brave …
The Monmouth Beach Fire Company has mostly completed its new firehouse on Beach Road — there for all to see. Situated in the borough’s heartbeat — its civic center — is a spanking new, large and modern firefighting complex. A place both necessary and fulfilling.
Organized in 1905, MBFC service actually predates the borough by a year. Most borough residents are wise enough to realize their good fortune in having such able and alert firefighters on duty. The sacrifice and skill they’ve exhibited through the years — protecting the lives and property of neighbors — is a matter of record. I am a proud volunteer fireman since March 1982.
In January 1906 the “Monmouth Beach firehouse construction contract” was awarded to Abraham Francis (a North Long Branch builder), according to the Long Branch Daily Record. Built at the corner of Beach Road and Borden Street the structure was moved east in 1919 to its present location next to Borough Hall. While it’s had several alterations through the years (big ones in the late-1950s and 1980s), much of the original frame structure endures as part of the new facility.
That’s 119 years and counting. I’ve always thought the building had a strength and character about it — much like its membership. It has been my honor to serve with many fine people over four decades. Associating with a lot of men that I respect and admire. Our firehouse — with its colorful past and promising future — is a tribute to their Monmouth Beach loyalty. I’m excited and hopeful about the future of the fire company and its fine new headquarters. Good luck to all!
To this day fire company membership owns the building and the land. Presented here are some firehouse images and other MBFC photos from various times, places and sources. Check back for updates:
• More MBFC History — HERE

Help the Heroes! — Old Monmouth Beach firehouse sign, 1930. Based on 2024 borough finance department calculations, Mayor David Stickle said that if taxpayers had to fund annual professional fire protection the cost could reach $3 million. Currently the all-volunteer fire company receives a $55,000 annual appropriation from the town’s budget. It’s a fabulous arrangement for taxpayers but in the course of building a modem fire headquarters on Beach Road, the company has taken on a mortgage (about $250,000). The cause and the contract are worth preserving. For donation info go — HERE.

Santa & Boys — Monmouth Beach volunteer firefighters delivering toys to borough youths on Christmas morning, December 2024 In a tradition dating to Christmas Day 1946, each borough child (infant through Grade 4) get a gift-wrapped toy deliver to their home by Santa Claus. (Matt Schulz Photo).

Sign of the Times — New Monmouth Beach firehouse on Beach Road, March 2024. The modern facility ensures the survival and integrity of municipal volunteer service — a cornerstone of what makes Monmouth Beach such an outstanding and close community.

Happy New Year! — Monmouth Beach firehouse on Beach Road aerial image, January 1, 2024 (David Booth Photo).

First Home — The original Monmouth Beach firehouse, 1910. Built on the corner of Beach Road and Borden Street in 1906. The land was purchased from Isaiah West for $500. The building was later remodeled and moved to its present location in 1919.

Town Footprint — Monmouth Beach Borough Hall (l) and Firehouse (r) at Beach Road and Willow Avenue, 1950s. Most of the property was owned by Jemima Cook. Born in England, she came to Monmouth Beach in 1867 and lived in town until her death in November 1913 at age 93. Her husband, Jonathan, the original Beach Road property owner, died in 1876. The town acquired the land from her estate in 1917.

Front Lines — Borough Hall (l) and Firehouse (r) on Beach Road, 1930. In June 1914 the town acquired the old casino and Cook properties (at Willow Avenue and Beach Roads) for $4,000, according to the Long Branch Daily Record.

Plans Change — New firehouse in Monmouth Beach? Long Branch Daily Record, March 1919. By August 1919, the company had agreed to save and move the structure.

Early Days — The firehouse (l) when it was located at the corner of Beach Road and Borden Street, 1906. The fire company had acquired the property from Isaiah West for $500. The building was moved east next to borough hall in 1919.

See Thru — Monmouth Beach firehouse during major renovations, November 2022. The century-old building was badly damaged in Superstorm Sandy over a decade ago. The $1.5 million upgrade is being done by Shorelands Construction.

Monmouth Beach firehouse, 2022. The first ever vote to build a borough school was held in the firehouse in July 1906; the electorate rejected a $20,000 appropriation by 40-8.

Town Center — Borough Hall and Firehouse on Beach Road, 1950s. The Borough Hall — “a home for the business of the borough,” according to Mayor A.O. Johnson — was officially opened in April 1918. Prior to that, the borough council met in the firehouse (paying a $10 monthly rent).

Foundation Guys — Ground-breaking for a $100,000 firehouse addition, June 1983. At right are: Mayor Lou Sodano, Builder Bill Hansen, Architect Al Benoist and Fire Chief Bill Barham. The addition was needed to house the department’s new tower-ladder firetruck.

Monmouth Beach firehouse on Beach Road, 1910s. The curved bell was donated by the NJ Southern Railroad in May 1907. The tower and bell were removed in 1919 after the firehouse was moved up the road and it could hook into the town’s electric alarm system.

MBFC and MB First Aid Squad buildings, 1984. Work on a $100,000 addition designed by Al Benoist is underway at the firehouse

MB Firehouse, 1938. The first aid squad building would fill the next door vacant lot — but not for another 35 years.

MBFC Mack Fire Truck, 1948. The 500-gallon pumper — still active today — was the first joint fire company-borough purchase.

MBFC Dodge Fire Truck. The 200-gallon pumper and auxiliary vehicle went online in town in early 1955.

God’s Hand — The Reverend W. Winfield West, MBFC Chaplin, 1983. A man of varied abilities, “Wink” West was elected to the Monmouth Beach School board of education in 1941. Appointed board business secretary in 1953 he held that post for over 35 years. His influence was so profound that he was occasionally called a “10th board member.” In addition to his 50-year MBFC service, he managed the Monmouth Beach Freezer Company from 1945 to 1982. He was also a Methodist pastor. Ordained in 1941, he ministered in North Long Branch, Rumson, WLB, and Wayside. The borough native and father of five died in July 1993.

Big Reach! — The MBFC held a “Wet Down” for its new Sutphen 100+ Tower Ladder — seen here on display at the firehouse on Beach Road. May 1988 (Jack Flaherty Photo).

In Honor — Firehouse tribute to Ex-Chief William Marsh, September 2019. The borough’s longtime electrician, Bill was a 70-year MBFC member and its chief in 1960.
More MBFC Images …

Lost Leader — John A. Maney, Jr. house & paint shop on Riverdale Avenue, 1920s. A Monmouth Beach pioneer, he was the borough’s first fire chief (in 1908) and also a member of the first borough council (in 1906). According to the Long Branch Daily Record, he died in his shop from accidental asphyxiation in February 1925 the night before beginning a paint contract on Borough Hall. The 1865 borough native left a wife and five children (and three future fire chiefs).

Henry Mihm (r) is honored for his 50 years of service to the MBFC, Long Branch Daily Record, Sept. 1965. Joining him at the Hi-Henry Inn are Judge Frank Crahay (l) and Walter Bloom (c).

The Mack Fire Truck delivers Santa Claus to well-wishers at the borough hall on Beach Road, December 2023 (Jack Flaherty Photo). The driver is Tim Somers, a current borough commissioner and former fire chief.

New Year — New Jersey Lt. Governor KIm Guadagno and Mayor Dave Stickle at MBFC officer swear-in ceremony, 2012.

Mack Fire Truck rolls along during the American Bicentennial-Monmouth Beach Celebration Parade, July 1976. Acquired by the MBFC in 1948, the 500-gallon pumper is still on line today.

Company Leaders — Former fire chiefs Phil Kuhlthau and Burt Barham, January 2016. Phil was fire company chief (1990) and serviced for 20+ years as company executive secretary. Phil has also been the fire company’s chaplain since 1990. Burt was a 1973 fire chief and is a longtime sewerage authority commissioner in town.

Summer’s End — Monmouth Beach Firemen’s Fair sign on Ocean Avenue, August 1967. (Jack Flaherty Photo). Fireman-brothers John (above) and Charlie Schulz chaired the fair that summer.

“Santa” and Monmouth Beach firemen deliver toys, Christmas 1973. The borough fire company started distributing Christmas morning presents in 1946. Quality, gift-wrapped toys are home-delivered by “Santa & Elves” to all borough children (Infant to Grade 4).

“Santa” and Monmouth Beach firemen deliver toys on Christmas Day, 1973. Firemen-brothers Ed and Tony Moro each volunteered to serve as “Santa” for over 25 years.

“Santa” and Monmouth Beach firemen deliver toys on Christmas Day, 1973. Borough firemen have been paying “Santa” for 75 holiday seasons now.

Fire at Monmouth Beach Cold Storage plant (“The Freezer”), January 1972. Owned by the Johnson family since 1912, the business packed and stored fish for distribution in the NYC-Philadelphia area. Storage capacity was 1.5 million pounds of fish. The family sold the business in 1977 and planet closed in 1982.

Monmouth Beach Cold Storage plant fire, January 1972. For years, “the Freezer” on Riverdale Avenue offered steady employment for local teens willing to work hard and stink of fish. During a rush some 40 guys were needed. Frank P. Joyce, Sr. served as the plant’s chief refrigeration engineer for 42 years. Born in Norway, he was a longtime Long Branch resident and father of four sons. He died in August 1971.

Big Pitch — Mayor Sidney Johnson plays the dunking booth game during the MB Firemen’s Fair held at the firehouse on Beach Road, August 1973 (Dan Hennessey Photo). The fair’s first dunking booth was in August 1939.

MBFC Mack Fire Truck. Mayor G. Henry Mihm (l) and ex-Chief James Maney (r) inspect the company’s new 500-gallon pumper. Long Branch Daily Record, April 1949.

Mayor Lou Sodano (r) with MBFC chief officers (Kevin Keddy, John Schulz and Tim Somers) at Tower Ladder dedication ceremony, May 1988 (Jack Flaherty Photo).

Fire Chief Tim Somers at the Tower Ladder truck dedication ceremony, May 1988 (Jack Flaherty Photo).

1988 MBFC line officers at the “Wet Down” for the new Sutphen 100+ Tower Ladder, May 1988 (Jack Flaherty Photo).

Mayor Lou Sodano with his wife Joan at the MBFC “Wet Down” for its new Sutphen 100+ Tower Ladder, May 1988 (Jack Flaherty Photo). It was under Sodano’s administration that the new fire truck was acquired.

MB Fire Company members prior to delivering toys on Christmas morning, 2021. Gift-wrapped toys are home-delivered to all borough children, infant through Grade 4. The MBFC is one of the few, if only, area organizations to deliver toys on the actual holiday. The tradition dates to Christmas Day 1946.

First Monmouth Beach Firemen’s Fair ad, 1937. Prior to the first fair held in 1937, the fire company’s main fundraiser in the early years was an annual “Summer Dance” held from 1905 to 1936. Fred Cook was a longtime committee chairman.

“Super Santa” — Harold “Skeets” Peterson distributes gifts to kids on Christmas Day, 1950s. Born in Monmouth Beach in August 1916, Harold had a remarkable record of public service — WW II US Navy vet, 4-term borough public works commissioner (1953-1977), fire company chief (1952) and 60-year member. He served with Mayor Sidney Johnson, when the town experienced wide population and construction growth. Successful at business too, he was partners (with Ed Koch, Ed Woolley, and Al Ferrugiaro) in the borough-based Peterson Wholesale Seafood Company for over 40 years. A resident of Navesink Drive, he and his wife, Dorothy, raised six kids in town: Harold, Jr., Barbara, Nancy, Judy, Janet, and Marjorie. Harold died in 2008.

MB Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary 5th Anniversary: from left: Myrt Marsh, Anita Maney, Helen Marsh, Harriet Miller, Alice Johnson, Mary DeMarco and Val Dougherty, 1960.

Clarence Cook Museum-Building, May 1989. Clarence was the first chairman of the MB Firemen’s Fair committee in 1937.

MBFC executive officers, from left: Carl Mason, secretary; Harry Tober, president; and Charlie Schulz, treasurer, 1980.

MB Fire Company members honored for 50 years of service: Sidney Johnson, Jr., Burt Barham, and Louis Ferrugiaro, 12/18.

MBFC Executive Officers – From left: Treasurer Charles Schulz, Secretary Carl Mason, VP Bob Ruland, and President Harry Tober, 1980.