OUR HISTORY

100 years ago, Lake Ariel was known for its amusement park, Beach Pavilion, its Crystal-clear Lake waters, and was a Country Get-a-way for City Visitors. in 1916, The Lake Ariel Fire Company formed its Bucket Brigade. (The firefighters and the townspeople would form a line and pass buckets to each other to fight a fire.) It was located near Patterson’s Department Store (across from the present day Parish Center), and later moved closer to the lake- where East Shore Drive and Maple Avenue meet. 

Over the following years, there were several unsuccessful attempts to expand the fire service.  But in 1946, a disastrous fire on Maple Avenue destroyed two historic landmarks, the Old Howe Hotel, and the Union Church. It was decided by Bud Simpson and others that they needed to take matters into their own hands and upgrade to a “full-fledged Fire Brigade”. 

In July of 1946, more than 10,000 people attended a Gala Celebration and Fireman’s Parade to raise $10,000 for a centrally located Headquarters and a new modern Fire Truck to carry the company’s 500 Gallon Civilian Defense pumper.  (Until then, they transported the pumper on any truck that was readily available.)

Proper Training was also needed, so Volunteer Firemen took classes every Friday night for 18 weeks at the Schoolhouse. The classes were under the direction of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Volunteer Fireman’s Association.

1n 1948, the present-day Lake Station was built in the center of town, on Route 191. Arley Chapman, a prominent local contractor, was assisted by many paid and volunteer workers, to construct the station. It not only served the town of Lake Ariel but also was on call to the neighboring towns of Hamlin, Canaan, Varden, Gravity, Mt. Cobb, Hoadleys, and Holisterville, as they were without fire protection.

Since the early 1970’s, The Hideout became a big part of the Lake Ariel Fire Company, not only in land area, but The Hideout has paid the community back in Volunteer Firefighters, many who were trained in their original home communities. Because of the growing need, a Sub-station of the Lake Ariel Fire Company was erected with the great fanfare of community and business involvement.  On December 7, 1988, The Hideout Sub-station responded to its first call.

Today, The Lake Ariel Volunteer Fire Company has 3 Stations: in South Canaan, The North Gate of the Hideout, and the Lake Station. It has 8 Fire Vehicles and responds to around 250 calls a year.

…And it still responds to our neighbors in South Canaan, Waymart, Ledgedale, Maplewood, Newfoundland, Jefferson, Seelyville, Honesdale, and Lakeville.

(Unknown Lake Ariel Sports Factoid- The New York Giants trained in Lake Ariel in the summer of 1926. They stayed at the Hotel Ariel, and practiced on the field across from the Lake Station.)