Page 22 - History of the Colton Fire Department

have a map of the city to hang at the station as a quick
reference. This map would also have all of the fire hy-
drant locations marked. Earlier the city was divided into
7 response wards. In 1903 they simplified the map by
divided the city into 4. The dividing line was to be at 8th
and I Streets. (Today it is 8th and Valley Blvd). This is
also the north, south, east and west dividing line for ad-
dressing.
Members of the fire department had always
worked toward the best interest of the city and their citi-
zens. The membership took up the issue of re paving
streets within the city. After much discussion they agreed
to donate 4 months’ salary for the purpose of re paving
streets. They appointed a committee of 3 for the purpose
of soliciting donations to the extent of $250,000 for the re
paving of streets.
Public education has always been the key to good
fire prevention. Extinguisher demonstrations were given
to their local merchants to assist in early fire suppression.

1901
J.S. Bostwick – Chief
M.C. Butterfield – Assistant Chief
W. H. Redman – Foreman of the Hook and Ladder
A.L. Pierce – Foreman of the Hose Cart
D.H. Stone – Assistant Foreman of the Hose Cart
Dan Johnston – Assistant Foreman of the Hook and Lad-
der
M.A. Bagley – C.D. of the Hose Cart
George Franklin – C.D. of the Hook and Ladder
John Bostwick
1900 D.C. Swartz – Secretary
From 1900 to 1910 there are not any Colton
Newspaper records to be found so many of the stories 1903
were lost. Till now, the volunteers would flush the fire hydrants of
In June J. S. Bostwick was elected as the 6th any dirt or debris on a monthly basis. This task would
known Colton fire chief. John S. Bostwick was born in now be serviced by the Board of Health.
Illinois, 1862. He was a house painter by trade. Since
the City of Colton was supplementing each member to
attend fires and training with some form of pay, the city
had certain controls and a voice over some of the volun-
teer functions. To some of the membership, this became
a conflict and thought that members of the department
should not receive monthly payments from the city and
remain strictly a volunteer department. After a great deal
of discussion this motion was withdrawn.
Every July was a concern for the department be-
cause of the celebration during the 4th. It was decided by
the department that a night watchman would be in place
during those evenings and be paid the sum of $2.00 per
night.
22 It was decided that it would be helpful to