Type of Work: Emergency Services

“Breaking out the road” after a snowstorm in Canton

‘Breaking out the road’ after a snowstorm in Canton

An early form of snowplowing in downtown Canton. Caption included with photo, courtesy of the Saint Lawrence County Historical Society: Shown herewith is the old-fashioned method of “breaking out the road” along Canton’s Main Street, come a heavy fall of snow. Farmers with their teams hitched to “pungs” or other work-sleds came to town and […]

Firefighters fighting Town Hall fire in Canton

Firefighters fighting Town Hall fire in Canton

Canton Town Hall is completely ablaze, with firefighters in the street around it.  Note the hose hooked up to fire hydrant at bottom left. 1962. Main Street in Canton, NY. Taken by Dwight Church.

Men gathered around Canton’s first firefighting hand pumper in Canton

Men gathered around Canton’s first firefighting hand pumper in Canton

Canton’s first piece of firefighting equipment, a hand pumper, was named the St. Lawrence. Note the metal buckets hanging at the center of the pumper. It’s pictured here on Main Street, surrounded by a crowd of men. It was purchased after a devastating fire in 1869. Circa early 1870s. Canton, NY.