Monmouth Beach Fire Company Images …

by Greg Kelly · Published September 10, 2023 · Updated September 22, 2023

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.

Monmouth Beach firehouse for sale! Long Branch Daily Record ad, March 1919.

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.

Town Center — Borough Hall and Firehouse on Beach Road, 1950s.

Monmouth Beach firehouse on Beach Road, 1934.

High Tide — Superstorm Sandy did catastrophic damage to the firehouse, October 2012.

Monmouth Beach firehouse on Beach Road, 2012.

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

Monmouth Beach firehouse, 2016.

Monmouth Beach firehouse, 2017.

Monmouth Beach firehouse, 1940s.

Monmouth Beach firehouse on Beach Road, July 1983.

Monmouth Beach firehouse, 1955.

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.

Firehouse on Beach Road, 1939.

Borough Hall and firehouse on Beach Road, 1930s.

MBFC: Model ‘A’ Ford Hose & Chemical Fire Truck, 1930.

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).

Victorious MBFC Field Day team at the firehouse, Fall 1931.

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.

MBFC Mack Fire Truck (Jim Burner Photo).

MBFC Hahn Fire Truck, 1960s. . The borough acquired the pumper firetruck in 1963 for $25,000.

MBFD members and former fire chiefs Phil Kuhlthau and Burt Barham, January 2016.

Monmouth Beach firehouse, 1941.

MB firehouse and trucks, 1950s.

From the Top — MBFC Ex-Chiefs: Paul Kleiberg, Jim Maney, Bill Hansen and Donald Ritz, 1990s.

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.

“The Mack” at 2023 Monmouth Beach Firemen’s Fair on Ocean Avenue.

MBFC Chief’s Car, September 2023.

MB Fire Company Line Officers, 2012.

MBFD Sutphen 100+ Tower Ladder truck at MBBP, October 2022.

MB Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary members at the firehouse on Beach Road, October 2015.

“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.

Parade & Party — Early support for borough firemen. APP story, July 1910.

Gone Glory — this Ocean Avenue mansion was a total loss to fire, 1940s.

River Avenue home is engulfed in flames, 1958.

MBFC members during their “Annual Dinner” at Borough Hall, December 2021.

Enjoying a Mack Fire Truck ride during the MB Firemen Fair held at the MBBP, Sept. 2022.

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.

Borough firefighters outside the Monmouth Beach firehouse on Beach Road, 1950s.

Borough firefighters are ready for Christmas Day toy distribution to town children, 1950s.

MBFC Field Day Team, 1990s.

MB firemen on Christmas Day, 1940s.

MBFC Memorial Day services, 1950s.

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 Sidney Johnson was a longtime member and supporter of the MB Fire Company, 1977.

The MB Firemen’s Fair dunking booth is busy, 1970s.

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).

MBFC “Wet Down” for its new Sutphen 100+ Tower Ladder, 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 Ladies Auxiliary, 1970s.

MB Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary, 2000s.

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.

Monmouth Beach Fire Department vintage member badge, 1905.

The beginnings of the MBFD Ladies Auxiliary. Long Branch Daily Record, February 1909.

MB Firemen’s Fair at MBBP, Sept. 2021.

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.

MB Firemen’s Fair at MBBP, Sept. 2021.

MBFC Grave Decoration Detail, 1970s. From left: Mike Heath, Bob Koch, Tom and Dan Hennessey.

MB Fireman’s Fair ring-toss game, 1970s.

MBFC Mack Fire Truck during town Halloween Parade, 2018.

Firemen Father & Son: Dick and Dickie Keller tend bar during a MBFC Annual Dinner party, 2000s.

MB Fire Company team in action, 2020.

MBFC Line Officers, 1990s.

“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.

Ladies Auxiliary of the Monmouth Beach Fire Company logo, Founded in 1956.

MBFC celebration, 1970s.

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.

MBFC line officer, 1950s.

Victorious MBFC Field Day team in Sea Bright, mid-1970s.

MB firefighters battle house blaze on Valentine Street, 2020.

Ground-breaking for MB firehouse addition, 1980s.

MB Firemen’s Fair, 1973.

MB Firemen’s Fair, 2010s.

Clarence Cook Museum-Building dedication at MBFC, May 1989.

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

Vivian Johnson’s Nightclub in Galilee on fire, 1935.

St. Peter’s Church of Galilee on fire, 1955.

St. Peter’s Church of Galilee on fire, May 1955.

MBFC members, 2005.

MBFD Line Officers, 2005 (Jack Flaherty Photo).

MBFD members, 1910.

MBFD Hook & Ladder, 1910.

MB tower 100-foot ladder truck, 2010s.

MBFD Line Officers, 1950s.

MBFD officers, 1950s.

Channel Club Tower 6th floor fire, 1985.

MB Firemen’s Fair, 1972.

Good Cookin’ at the MB Firemen’s Fair: Al Jones, Ernie Brina, John Keller and Dickie Keller, 2000s.

Police Chief Dick Keller in dunking booth at MB Friemen’s Fair, 1970s.

MB Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary, 2003.

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

MB fireman Donald Ritz, 1965.

Pete’s Inn after fire, 1931.

MB School Halloween Parade, 1952.

KIm Guadagno and Dave Stickle at 2012 fire department officer swear-in ceremony.

APP story on the worst fire in borough history, December 1929.

MB firemen in action at Wharfside Manor, 2017.

MBFC ’48 Mack Fire Truck, 2017.

MB firemen battle a Sea Bright fire, 2019.

MB fire, 2000s.

MB Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary, 1970s.

MBFC 75th Anniversary celebration, 1980.

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

MB firemen at Field Day, 1947.

Boat fire near Manahasset Creek in MB, 2018.

MB Firemen’s Fair “Ride on the Mack,” 2015.

MB Fire Company celebration, 1950s.

MB Fire Company bowling team, 1960s.

Shoreland’s boathouse fire, 1965.

MB Fire Company ex-chiefs, 2005.

MB firmen celebrate New Year’s Day, 1950s.

Channel Club Tower fire, 1985.

Walter Mihm preps for annual dinner for MB Fire Company, 1970s.

MB firetruck, 1960s.

MB Fire Company junior firemen get instruction, 1950s.

MB Fire Company Field Day champs, 1976.

MB Fire Company members work on firehouse addition, 1959.

MB Fire Company 50-year members, 2005.

MB firemen deliver toys on Christmas morning, 2017.

MB firefighters battle a blaze on Seaview Avenue, mid-2010s.

MB firehouse and fire truck, 1960s.

MBFC Mack Fire Truck, mid-2010s.

MB Fire Company line offers sworn in by Mayor Sue Howard and Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, mid-2010s.

MB firefighters battle a blaze on River Avenue, January 2015.

MB firemen, 1945.

MB Fire Company-MB First Aid memorials on Beach Road, 2017

MB firemen deliver Christmas Day gifts, 1940s.

MB firemen delivering Christmas morning gifts, 1950.

Andy Cancalosi and Russ Springs at the gaming wheel for MB Firemen’s Fair, 1970s.

MB-American Bicentennial Celebration: Parade, July 1976.

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

MBFC’s 1974 Hahn firetruck, 1980.

MBFC’s 1963 Hahn firetruck, 1980.

MBFC’s 1954 Dodge firetruck, 1980.

MBFC Hahn firetruck dedication: From left: Mayor Sidney Johnson, Commissioners Harold Peterson and Ed Feste, MBFC Chief John Brazas and MBFC President Frank Introcaso, 1974.