The photo above was taken in the early 1900's in Larkspur, circa 1910.
​The Larkspur Volunteer Fire Department is pictured pulling one of their hose carts along a dirt road.

Introduction
by Tom Forster

Special thanks to retired Larkspur Chief William "Bill" Lellis for this story below of fire hose carts in Marin County, including friendly competitions held around the turn of the 20th century. These often featured the Petaluma and Healdsburg FD teams from Sonoma County, among others. 

Early fires in America were fought with bucket brigades, often ones that included all able bodied men, women, and children. Everyone needed to help put the fire out, or else the whole town might burn down. Several technological improvements would have to happen before that changed in large part.

First, community water systems were needed with storage, gravity feed, and a means to get water out of the pipes. Initially this happened through holes being cut into wooden water mains, often during a fire, and then plugged after the fire was out. This is where the term "fire plug" came from. Later, above ground metal hydrants with threaded connections were developed. Above ground hydrants in America came about in the early 1800's, typically in larger communities that could afford them.

Secondly, fire hose had to be developed, and later improved to give flexibility and the ability to be rolled easily. The hose was then used as an above ground piping system that could be easily deployed and then reloaded for future use. The first fire hose in the late 1600's in Europe was made of leather, initially stitched with one seam. Metal rivets would later be developed in the early 1800's, allowing much higher operating pressures.  However, leather did not roll easily, could become quite stiff, and required high maintenance. Once cotton jacketed and rubber lined hose came about by the mid-1800's, the options for deployment and operating pressures increased.

Third, once the hose had improved and fire hydrants or threaded connections were in place, the hose could be easily loaded in flat wooden carts, called hose wagons,  or rolled onto hose cart reels and then deployed. Initially the carts were mostly made of wood, usually with metal axles, frame, and wheel treads. Over time, all-metal carts would be developed. Some are still manufactured today, for fire protection in industrial areas and often in developing countries, and for competitions that are often part of larger fire "musters", or firefighter gatherings for competition and fun.

Combine the existence of many community hose carts and wagons with the competitive nature between fire departments and communities, and the 'race' was on. Sometimes the race would be who could get to the fire the fastest, within individual or neighboring departments,  and that also led to non-emergency competitions for fun. 

A chaotic scene in early America when a house caught on fire. Bucket brigades were usually the main method of fighting fires. The whole community would pitch in, or risk the spread of fire.

A wooden fire main with several fire plugs. The holes were cut into the logs to get water to fight the fire, and the plugs would later be installed to stop the leak. Eventually metal pipes and above ground hydrants would be developed.

Leather fire hose with metal rivets, and brass or copper threaded connections and nozzle.

A chemical hand cart and a fire hose cart owned by Corte Madera Volunteer Fire Department in the early 1900's. This fire shed was located on Redwood Avenue.

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Run for your life!

by Chief William "Bill" Lellis, Larkspur FD retired

The heat was beating down on the crowd in Sausalito in the summer of 1908 on September 9th. They had been milling around the various community celebration and events for many hours. The excitement was building, since the main event of the day was about to take place. The announcement came - “...all companies this is your first call...” Fire department team captains could be heard calling their groups to assembly, making certain that each man knew his position and what was expected of him during the event.  “Mill Valley team this your second call, please come to the starting line.”
 
The team of the finest specimens of Mill Valley firemen slowly approached, bringing their apparatus gently to the line, making sure their hose cart reel lined up properly. They had been training every night for over a month, and they were the odds on favorites to win the trophy. “Gentlemen, take your start...” … the men bent over in order to gain the most power from their legs, as the starting gun would soon sound. Drops of sweat were falling off their brow, as the sun was showing no mercy… “team ready?”… the starter raised his hand, and in the flash of a second the starter sound was echoing off the building that lined the course.   
 
Nine Mill Valley firemen began to pull their hose cart, weighing well in excess of 1000 pounds, with every ounce of strength they could muster. The main event of the day had begun - the Firemen’s Hose Cart or "Reel" Races. Teams had traveled from as far north as Healdsburg and Petaluma in Sonoma County. Marin County was represented by teams from the fire departments in San Rafael, San Anselmo, Larkspur, Mill Valley and Sausalito. 

​Twenty-nine and 3/4 seconds later, the Mill Valley Team completed their hose lay, water connection, and nozzle flow. This time would hold up as the best time of the day, with San Anselmo in second place with 32 seconds, Larkspur in third, followed by Sausalito and then San Rafael. The Mill Valley team would go on later that summer to race in San Jose at the Native Sons competition, featuring among others, teams from San Jose, Hollister, and Santa Clara. Unfortunately, Mill Valley lost their race when the hose jumped off the reel enroute and became entangled in the wheels. The other competitors would not allow Mill Valley another chance.
 
The fireman's hose cart races were one of the first larger public athletic events in Marin. The local firemen would show their athletic skills before crowds of 1,000 people or more, racing to be the pride of the County. With family and loved ones watching with great admiration, the winners would receive a coveted silver trophy cup.

The cover of a book about Sausalito, image courtesy of Sausalito Historical Society.

The Sausalito Volunteer Fire Department hose cart team in 1909, photo courtesy Sausalito Historical Society.

The Mill Valley Volunteer Fire Department in 1908. Photo courtesy Mill Valley Library Lucretia Little Room.

A typical Underwriters Play Pipe nozzle that was used in hose cart competitions.

An example of a silver trophy cup. We don't know of this was for a foot race, hose cart race, ladder race, or some other event. This one is on display in the Larkspur FD museum at 420 Magnolia St.

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Photo courtesy of Sausalito Historical Society.

The winning team from Mill Valley FD in the 1908 Sausalito race. (l-r) Fred Roemer, C. Bodar, J. Patterson, Otto Lundquist, J. Bedecareaux, Dick Lenhart, Louis Gerhardt, Frank Thompson, and Jack Valley. Photo courtesy Mill Valley FD historical collection.

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Hose Carts in Marin County
 
The City of San Rafael formed the first volunteer fire department in Marin County, on December 5, 1874.
The City itself had incorporated earlier that year on May 18. They named the fire group the "San Rafael Hose, Hook and Ladder Company." The company’s first piece of equipment was a four wheeled hose cart, with a large hose reel, allowing for more hose and overall weight than a two-wheel cart.

Most early Marin communities provided their fire protection with buckets, ladders, wet burlap sacks, shovels, and later, hose carts. The sources of water initially were lakes, pond, creeks, cisterns and wells, with community piping and water systems being developed mostly in the early 1900's. The Marin Municipal Water District, California's first such agency, was chartered in 1912.

While hand fire pumpers and later, steam fire engines, were developed and available over the 1800's in America, the costs were prohibitive for most small rural communities. Very few could afford a Steam Fire Pumper like San Francisco or Oakland at a cost of thousands of dollars not including the costs of larger fire houses, but they could afford a hose cart, at a cost of $400 to $600 at that time. For example, in 1887 Petaluma brought a new hose cart for $450.

As a result, Marin started transitioned from hose carts, chemical carts, horse drawn hose and chemical tank wagons, and horse drawn ladder wagons to automotive fire apparatus around 1910. These were equipped with chemical tanks and hose. We do not know of any steamers or hand pumpers that were used in Marin.

An overview of a typical Hose Cart
 
The hose carts were typically two wheel affairs, with each wheel being a good five feet in diameter. Larger four-wheeled carts were also used, but were more expensive and required more space and men to haul it. The hose was wrapped around a reel fastened to the axle of the two-wheeled carts, or above the frame on the four-wheeled versions, but spinning independently.

The carts often included various places for attaching fire-fighting equipment. First and most important the nozzle was often mounted in the front of the reel on the main bar. A tool box might be attached for carrying hose coupling spanners and small tools, and, if you could afford them, Kerosene lamps for night-time operations.

A bell might have been mounted to the top harp, on a spring tab, or near the wheel so it was struck every time the wheel made a revolution, alerting people and livestock to clear out of the way. Companies were very proud of their carts and equipment, and would often decorate them for parades and general display.
 
The Races
 
The typical race usually ran over a 100-yard course, usually dirt and gravel in nature. See the story in the images to the right to read about 400-yard races, this one in Healdsburg. Most teams consisted of nine to twelve firemen. The two fastest men usually assumed the lead position holding on the the metal handles in front on the tongue of the cart. They would help steer to keep the cart on track, and would then attempt to brake the cart at the end of the course. The other team members would deploy the ropes in front of the cart, lined up behind them two abreast. Each would grab onto the rope to help pull, usually staying to the outside of the wheels in case they fell.  

One team member ran along behind the cart, holding the end of the hose. It was his job to start unwinding  and throw a half-hitch around the hydrant on the dead run as the rest of the team sped down the street. He would attach the nozzle to the end of the hose, and a hydrant man would open the hydrant. Time was counted from the moment the team started to run after the gun went off, until water spurted through the nozzle.  All this was usually completed in less then 30 seconds.

Speed was all important, but too much speed could cause the hose to get tangled up under itself, and your team would then be out of the race. Some hose carts could carry over 500 feet of cotton fire hose, with every fifty feet of hose with couplings weighing about 50 pounds, The cart in total had to weigh over 1,000 pounds as required by the rules. Team members had to be very careful not to fall, or if they did, to lean outside the track of the wheels. Otherwise they could be seriously injured or even killed by the heavy wheels crushing them.
 
California Firemen’s Association Rules

While we don't know much yet about this association, formed in the 1800's, we are doing research for a future story. This was a predecessor of the California State Firemen's Association, which formed in 1922. The original association published rules for fire tournaments, including hose carts races as described below:

"The Executive Committee adopted the following rules for the Tournament on the 4th of July 1880:

1. Distance, 1,200 feet in all, 900 feet to hydrant, lay 300 feet of hose, uncouple and screw on pipe. The time to be taken when water leaves the pipe. The judges will at once examine the coupling, and if any leakage is discovered at the hydrant coupling or pipe-coupling such company will have three seconds added to its time for each such leak.

2. Center of reel to be on starting line.

3. Carts to carry at least 350 feet of hose, reeled on a continuous line, all couplings to be screwed up not less than three threads. Hose to be regulation fire service hose, two and one-half inches, rubber, or fabric rubber lined or leather, and in length not over sixty feet, to have full screw couplings, a single V shaped thread not less than six threads to the inch. Three full turns on the pipe; three full turns on the couplings; all couplings be made or broken by hand or spanner.

4. Carts to weigh not less than 1,000 pounds, including hose.

5. Pipe to be carried on cart or by pipeman from the start.

6. Twelve men only (exclusive of foreman or trainer) allowed running. No man to start ahead of leaders on rope, or to fall in and assist dragging apparatus after the start. Foreman or trainer not allow to assist in handling apparatus in any manner, unless taking the place of one of the team and handling apparatus from the start.

7. Reel to be started not more than thirty feet from the hydrant: hydrant man to fall off not further than sixty feet from hydrant: cap of hydrant to be fully screwed on by hydrant judges.

8. All runs to be made with wet hose.

9. None but companies having a membership in the California Firemen’s Association, or who have sent in their application to the Recording Secretary for such membership, will be allowed to compete; and no person will be allowed to run with any company who has not been a legitimate member of the same for at least thirty days prior to the Tournament.

10. The names of contestants in each teams and the name of more than four substitutes in each team must be handed in to the recording Secretary of the California Association on the first day of the Tournament, and such list be accompanied by a sworn certificate from the foreman or secretary of the team that such parties are actual members in good standing of said company.

11. No professional runners shall be allowed to compete in any team. The term “professional runner” is applied to who is following or has followed foot racing as a profession or means of livelihood.

12. In case of violation of any of the preceding rules, excepting Rule 1 by any team, a majority of the judges shall decide the penalty to be imposed."

These rules were somewhat eased as we entered the 20th century. The course distance requirements were shortened, and between nine to twelve firemen could compete, rather than a minimum of twelve.           
 
An example of a Community Event featuring hose cart races: Larkspur Firemen’s Day or Booster Day
 
What ever they called it, entire communities were behind these tournaments. The events were months in the planning. City or Town Councils, Trustees and many citizens would serve on various committees to make it a great success. Not only were the Hose Cart Races often the main attraction, but the whole day was filled to the brim with various events.

There could be the Hook and Ladder contest, and 100-yard foot races between Fire Chiefs, Assistant Chiefs, and Firemen.
In Larkspur's case, the day would be led off with a parade through the downtown, with a brass band playing throughout the day. This Larkspur Booster Day event earned money that went to the Larkspur Volunteer’s to buy fire equipment, and was the start of the famous Rose Bowl Dance that would go on to fund all fire protection in Larkspur until 1957.

The Larkspur description in the paper explains the events to a ” T”:

Marin Journal, Volume 50, Number 35, September 8, 1910

"Larkspur Booster Day Attracts Thousands

ANNUAL OBSERVANCE IS VOTED THE GREATEST EVER

The second annual observance of Booster Day, held at Larkspur Monday was one of the most successful celebrations in the history of the town. Thousands of visitors from all parts of the County and San Francisco thronged the streets of the town and from early morning till late at night, carnival spirit reigned supreme. The festivities began with the parade in the morning, which formed at Baltimore Park, marched to Escalle, and then countermarched to Redwood Grove where the coronation of Queen Edythe took place amid the continued applause of the merry-makers.

​Following the literary exercises and the address of the day, which was delivered by City Attorney Solomon, the afternoon was given over to athletic events including races, baseball, firemen's tournament, and various other features, which serve to keep the sprit of the day at a high tension. The firemen's tournament, in which were entered teams from San Anselmo, Larkspur, and Sausalito was an interesting and closely contested event." 

The Sausalito story is a also typical one as unfolded throughout America. Many times a community vote would be taken to form a volunteer fire department , which meant they would have to tax themselves, only to go down ito defeat by a few votes. It would usually take a major fire, such as one destroying a large portion of the town, to finally cause a fire department to be formed.

The first line of defense against fire in towns would be buckets, and the more advanced Hand Carts, with carts distributed around town. Members of the fire department would go to the shed they were stored in, and then responded to the fire dragging the cart along.
At one time Sausalito had five such cart stations.
 
Both Corte Madera and Larkspur had hose cart stations at several locations also. Larkspur had one such station, really a shed or small barn, located up Madrone Canyon, with an assigned Chief in charge.  In 1921, when Larkspur sold it's 1916 Ford Model “T” Chemical Truck to Kentfield FD, part of the sale included the old hose cart from Madrone Canyon.

Fairfax and San Anselmo enter the Fray
 
"Fire Departments of Marin County will take part In Hose Reel Contest At Fairfax Park On Fourth of July
Marin Herald,  June 21, 1929

A regular old time hose reel contest under the direction of Harry Sobey will be one of the main features of the Fourth of July Celebration to be held at Fairfax Park under the auspices of the Fairfax Fire Department and the Fairfax Women’s Club.  Nearly every fire department in Marin County will take place in the contest including the members of the San Anselmo department.

The silver cup, to be awarded to the winning team, will be on display at Bonniti and Flynn’s window from June 26 to 29.  The S.A. boys have been practicing in the evenings and Sunday mornings under the direction of Fire Chief Cartwright and it is thought that they stand a big chance of winning the cup."

Musters in the Recent Past and Today

While hose cart races fell off in number as motorized apparatus came into being in Marin, occasional competitions continued to be held over the years.
The most recent known use of a hose cart in competitions was during the Larkspur Fire Muster, held from 1978-1984. All teams shared the Larkspur hose cart, and had to lay a line to the 1850 Larkspur hand pumper, connect and then pump through the hose line to knock down a target. The  hand pumper was acquired from Austria in the early 1970's and restored by the Larkspur volunteers for display and competition.

This series of competitions and others will be featured in an upcoming stories. In addition, we are doing an inventory of hose carts that remain in Marin County in FD or private collections.

The California Firemen's Muster Association, CFMA, has also hosted three annual musters around the state since the 1980's, including traditional hose cart racing. In addition, many departments across the country continue to host these historical events even year.

​More of these stories to come.

The Saugatuck Fire Department in Michigan, in a good photo showing both fire buckets and hose carts. Photo courtesy Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Society.

One of San Rafael VFD's hose carts.

A Currier & Ives print showing a volunteer fireman pulling a four-wheeled hose cart with upper hose reel, team rope grab reels, a lantern, and wooden storage box. From the Library of Congress.

An old drawing of a hose cart racing team, attired in the athletic clothing of that time.

A typical two-wheeled hose cart, with nozzles, tool storage box, lanterns, and rope reels for the men to unroll and then grab to help pull the cart. The black rotating bar behind the hose reel was used to help the hose lay out without getting caught up underneath.

A hose cart ad from the late 1800's.

The Larkspur VFD Team practicing with their chemical fire cart - chemical tanks replaced the fire hose ti create water pressure, and usually ran in tandem with hose carts.

From the San Francisco Call, Aug. 22, 1907.

From the Mill Valley Record, April 30, 1909

From the San Anselmo Herald, Oct. 26 1912

From the Petaluma Argus-Courier, May 14, 1908, about the Petaluma FD.

From the San Francisco Call, Sept.1, 1910

Members of the San Anselmo Fire Department Hose Cart Team. (l-r) Upper row: Nello Marcucci, John Lecayi, James Lamb, Jose Symonds, Joseph Lynch, Chief Charles Cartwright; Lower row: Lester Hester Hecht, Arthur Hecht, Pete Calletti, Leo Manning, William Ferrari. From the Marin Herald, June 21, 1929.

The Diamond Springs FD muster team in 1979 at the Columbia Fire Muster in Tuolumne County, held every May at Columbia State Park. They are pictured around the Larkspur FD hose cart, and note retired Larkspur Fire Chief and current San Rafael Deputy Chief Robert "Bob" Sinnott in blue next to Larkspur Volunteer Firefighter Coey Holliday. This team later won the Larkspur Muster, story coming soon.

The San Anselmo FD Hose Cart Racing Team, June 21, 1929

A Larkspur Carnival Parade photo on Magnolia Ave., looking south, with The Blue Rock Inn on the right and the closest cross street of Ward.