Monmouth Beach Fire Company Images …
Always Ready & Brave …
The Monmouth Beach Fire Company is front of mind currently — as its new home on Beach Road is prepped. Seen by all. Situated at the very heartbeat of Monmouth Beach — its civic center — will be a spanking new, large and modern firefighting complex. A place both necessary and fulfilling.
Organized in 1905, the MBFC actually predates the borough by one year. Most borough residents are wise enough to realize their good fortune in having such able firefighters on duty. Their skills and sacrifices are a matter of record. I am a proud volunteer fireman since March 1982.
In January 1906, according to the Long Branch Daily Record, Abraham Francis (a North Long Branch builder) was awarded the Monmouth Beach firehouse construction contract. And despite repeated efforts to doom it, much of the original structure endures as part of the new facility. That’s 117 years and counting. Good deal. I’ve always thought the building had a strength and charterer to it — much like its membership. I’ve had the honor to serve with many fine people. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for the fire company and its fine new headquarters.
Presented here are some distinctive MBFC images from various times, places and sources.Check back for updates and I’m always looking for more photos. My e-mail is HERE.

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.

First Home — Monmouth Beach firehouse, 1910. The original firehouse was built on the corner of Beach Road and Borden Street in 1906. The builder was Abraham Francis of North Long Branch. It was later remodeled and moved to its present location in 1919.

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

See Thru — Monmouth Beach firehouse on Beach Road is receiving a major renovation, November 2022. The 117-year-old building was badly damaged in Superstorm Sandy over a decade ago. The $1.5 million upgrade is being done by Shorelands Construction.

Another Home — The MBFC Temporary Garage on Robbin Street, October 2022. The company’s front-line firetrucks will be stationed here while the main firehouse on Beach Road is rebuilt.

Monmouth Beach firehouse on Beach Road, 1910s. The curved bell was donated by the NJ Southern Railroad in May 1907.

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.

Rev. W. Winfield West, MBFC Chaplin, 1980. At the ground breaking ceremony for tower-ladder addition.

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).

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.

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” — MB fireman Harold “Skeets” Peterson distributes gifts to kids on Christmas Day, 1950s. Harold had a remarkable record of public service — WW II US Navy vet, 4-term borough commissioner, fire company chief (1952), and successful businessman (seafood biz). He died in 2008 at age 92. He and his wife, Dorothy, raised six kids in town: Harold, Jr., Barbara, Nancy, Judy, Janet, and Marjorie.

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.