On Saturday, January 6, 1900, the Volunteer Hose No. 2 moved from their Crescent Street location to the new fire station built by Roger Howard on Foster Street, between Albion Street and Richardson Avenue. This 2½ story frame building is still in use by private business today.
At this time, the J. H. Carter Hose No. 1 moved from their temporary quarters to the former location of the Volunteer Hose No. 2 at Crescent and Lincoln Streets.
The town accepted Greenwood Hose 3 as part of the Wakefield Fire Department on April 2, 1900. However, all equipment, including the 1893 hose carriages, continued in ownership by the Greenwood Library Association.
On December 22, 1900, the new brick Central Fire Station was built at a total cost of $17,197.58 on the site of the fire-destroyed station on Crescent Street. This structure, built by Roger Howard, housed the 1882 Silsby Steamer, Lucius Beebe No. 1; the 1893 Abbot-Downing hose wagon, Engine 1; and the 1892 Abbot-Downing ladder truck, Washington Hook and Ladder Truck No. 1.
Central Fire Station
Also in 1900, the fire alarm system was relocated from its temporary location in the Wakefield Block to the Municipal Gas and Light Plant on North Avenue.
Large fire continues to plague the department. On July 21, 1900, Box 35 was received at 7:58 A.M. A general alarm was then sounded for a serious fire in the old roller skating rink, occupied by the Wakefield Reed Chair Company, rear of Main Street, opposite Avon Street. The fire consumed this large two-story building and destroyed or damaged eight dwellings, sheds, and stables. It also caused severe damage to the present Universalist Church spire and the rear section of the church building. Aid was received from Melrose, Reading and Stoneham, as well as from the Rattan Factory Fire Brigade.
Old Rink Fire
In 1901, the town purchased a new horse-drawn hose wagon for Greenwood Hose 3 and a new horse-drawn supply wagon for the central fire station, both built by J. B. McLain of North Reading. Also in 1901, a pair of horses was purchased by the town for the Silsby Steamer. The acquisition of these horses eliminated any future hiring of horses for Fire Department use. To keep the horses exercised, they were used by the Highway Department to water the gravel roadways.
During the year 1902, the town converted the old Greenwood School on Oak Street, just east of Main Street, into a hose house for Greenwood Hose 3. This 2½ story frame building was built in 1847 and originally located on the east side of Main Street, just south of the Meriam Street railroad bridge. The old Greenwood Hose 3 Station and land on Oak Street, near Francis Street, was sold for private use.
Greenwood Hose 3
The Montrose Hose 4 was relocated to a shed on the Reid property on Lowell Street at Salem Street in 1902.
On December 16, 1903, the appointment of the first permanent fireman to Greenwood Hose 3 station, James P. Goodhue, was made by the town.
The following year, the Montrose Hose 4 became part of the Fire Department. This was the last independent volunteer company in the town. Charles E. Buxton was appointed Captain.
