Goodwill Fire Company, Germansville, will celebrate its 100th anniversary with a parade and festivities July 11.

The parade will stage 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Northwestern Lehigh High School parking lot.

Vehicles and marchers will proceed at 2 p.m. from Northwest to Hunters Hill to Central roads ending at the fire station along Memorial Road.

There will be trophies awarded at the end for various marching groups, pumpers, tankers, antique apparatus, marching bands and more.

There will be food and beverages available, and the Rehrig Brothers Band will perform 6:30-9 p.m. A fabulous fireworks display will conclude the evening at 9:30 p.m.

In the Beginning

Eleven businesses and sheds were destroyed by a raging fire Aug. 25, 1914, in the village of New Tripoli.

Three fire trucks came from Allentown and prevented the fire from spreading farther.

A month later, a barn, shed and some nearby buildings burned near Germansville.

These two devastating fires were enough to draw the attention of Germansville and surrounding area residents, who discussed organizing a fire company and supplying the equipment.

William Schmick arranged to have demonstrations of chemical tanks mounted on two wheels.

The apparatus was made by Buffalo Chemical Fire Apparatus Co.

Forty men met at the Germansville Hotel to organize a fire company. Schmick became the president and fire apparatus would be housed on his property.

There was a $5 membership for property owners and $1 for nonproperty owners. However, the company would respond to nonmembers as well as members.

Herbert Schmick and Ambrose Leibensperger were the first two fire chiefs.

The first of the fire company's fundraisers, a picnic, took place in 1916.

A profit of $39.97 was realized and a 16-foot by 20-foot fire station was planned.

Goodwill Fire Company, which still has its original hand-drawn chemical tank, soon found the apparatus to be inadequate and, in the summer of 1920, borrowed $700 to buy a truck and mount two tanks on it.

Between Nov. 16 and Dec. 17, 1921, tickets were sold for a Ford Touring car raffle. The profit was $813.

Via an amendment to the bylaws in January 1924, fire chiefs were to be paid $1.50 per month.

A new truck committee recommended a Model C-35 International chassis with firefighting equipment to be installed by Hahn Motor Company of Hamburg.

The new truck was too big to fit in the firehouse and Schmick's garage was rented to house the vehicle.

In February 1942, discussion began on constructing a firehouse or community hall.

In March 1945 a decision was made to build the 100-foot by 50-foot Germansville Community Memorial Hall, named in honor of Heidelberg Township residents who lost their lives in war.

The multipurpose use building included a stage, indoor basketball court and a downstairs shuffleboard area. Other organizations, such as the Grange and 4-H, used the facility as a meeting place.

In May 1948, there was day of speakers, picnics and a parade with the Slatington American Legion participating, and the cornerstone to the fire station was laid.

The Eugene Handwerk Estate donated the land with the condition it be used for a community center because there was no place for kids to play. Goodwill Fire Company Assistant Chief Randy Metzger said both Central Grange 1650 and fire company had been meeting at the Lehigh Exchange, where farmers brought potatoes for shipping.

The first meeting was held at the new building in 1948, said Doris Koenig, a member of the Central Grange.

Cinder blocks and logs were used for seating.

She said the Grange had land on which to build but did not want to be in competition, so the two organizations worked together and shared the building.

The Grange, a significant part of the fire company's celebration, is also 100 years old.

Metzger said the Grange has contributed a great deal to the fire company.

In August 1944, 25 men were appointed fire police.

A siren installed in 1937 was soon found to be too small as it could only be heard in Germansville.

Big Beulah, a larger siren, be heard farther away, but is still in use only for fires.

The upper floor was added to the building in 1961 at a cost of $66,751. The engine bays were added on the bottom with ground broken in 1977.

After the second floor was added, there were banquets with volunteers carrying food from the lower level.

The kitchen was added in 1977.

Former Chief Larry Leibensperger said he once spent seven days carrying food up and dishes back down in one busy week.

Koenig said there were often 300 to 400 people attending banquets.

Grange Master Harold Hoppes said a elevator shaft was added and a new truck was bought at the same time.

The Grange donated $30,000 but the project cost $68,000. A $35,000 loan was not needed but was used shortly after when a new roof was necessary.

Air conditioning cost $80,000 with a $50,000 donation from the Grange.

Koenig said when the company started serving ham and eggs with fried potatoes, they would serve as many as 800 people.

Shoo-fly pies became a major fundraiser and fastnachts were sold. The Grange set up a food stand at public auctions.

Koenig said clam chowder suppers were a good fundraiser.

Leibensperger recalled the steer raffles, but the winner had to pick up the steer and take it home.

After the first winner had difficulty, people took the money – which would have been $320 for the first steer.

A Ladies Auxiliary, formed in 1986, offered catered weddings. The group, however, disbanded in 1991.