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We now know of roughly 30 fire departments or organizations that no longer exist in Marin County. According to retired Marin County FD Senior Captain & Historian Pete Martin, almost all of the West Marin communities had volunteer fire departments before the Marin County FD came into existence in 1941. So far we were aware of departments that no longer existed in West Marin in Point Reyes, Olema, Bello Beach, Tomales, and possibly San Geronimo. This is in addition to FD's that still serve in Muir Beach, Stinson Beach, Bolinas, Inverness, and Nicasio. Tomales today has a volunteer fire company based at the Marin County FD station, supplementing the County staff and equipment when needed. While doing research on another topic, we came across articles detailing another department from long ago, that of Forest Knolls. The creation of the group may have been motivated by the disastrous fires on 1923 around Northern California, including in Marin County. In particular, that fire devastated the neighboring community of Woodacre. So far, we only have one possible photograph, consisting of an old fire chemical engine and a chemical hose cart, with an unknown woman sitting on the front of the cart. We are now publishing the story of what we know so far, thanks primarily to articles from the old San Anselmo Herald. Thanks also to retired Marin County FD Senior Captain Greg Jennings, for providing the photograph that may show the fire equipment Forest Knolls used. Research will continue, and for now you can review what we know so far.  "It is a curious thing, the death of a loved one. We all know that our time in this world is limited, and that eventually all of us will end up underneath some sheet, never to wake up. And yet it is always a surprise when it happens to someone we know. It is like walking up the stairs to your bedroom in the dark, and thinking there is one more stair than there is. Your foot falls down, through the air, and there is a sickly moment of dark surprise as you try and readjust the way you thought of things." - Daniel Handler, Lemony Snicket Today we are posting the start of a biography page for retired Larkspur FD Chief William "Craig" Shurtz, who passed away in January of 2018. Included is his obituary story, photographs from his Celebration of Life gathering held in Corte Madera on February 18, and a short film clip. At some point the family will also be sharing more photographs from his life, and we'll be posting more film clips from the Larkspur FD featuring Craig. If you have anything to add please send it along.  (l-r) Larkspur Captains William "Bill" Lellis and William "Craig" Shurtz pictured in the 1960's during overhaul following a fire at the Chinese Kitchen in north Larkspur. Both men would go on to serve as Fire Chief for Larkspur. |
AuthorOur Blog announces new site content, and gives the context of the topic and it's relationship to fire service history. Written by Bill Lellis & Paul Smith Archives
August 2022
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