Firemarks

[MikeDeVuono]

Could someone please explain to me what a "Firemark" is. They are cast iron circles with the name of various insurance companies on them they date back to the late 1700s early 1800s.

Some of the historic houses in Philly still have them mounted on the buildings.

Do these mean that the building is insured? Or does it indicate that the homeowner gave to the local FD?

Thanks

[Squad 12]

To my knowledge the firemarks on buildings around the turn of the century showed who had paid money to which fire company, or insurance company for fire protection.

If a building was on fire, and a different fire company showed up than who had been paid, they would not fight the fire.

They usually ended up fighting with other fire companies.

I'm discussing this issue with a 40 year veteran of the fire service and we think this is correct.

Hope this help's

[martinm]

Hi, The people who posted above are correct. Firemarks were first used in Great Britain in the 17th Century to identify who had insurance & who did'nt as insurance companies also provided a private fire service for their customers. A lot of the time they would save one house but let the ones around it burn as they were not insured!! As has been added, they also got into " turf wars" with other insurance co. fire services.

I have a replica of a fire mark which was used in the town next to mine on my porch. Some of them are very rare & quite valuable for originals.

Martin
Northumberland Fire Rescue
England

[LFD2203]

I have several large fire marks, but got a Christmas gift of a small mark, maybe 3" diameter, polished brass. i wonder if this was some form of identifying equipment belonging to the particular fire company? it appears to have 2 small holes that may have been used for riveting it to someting. anyone ever seen anything like this?????

[JayTL]

Charleston, SC has firemarks, or "insurance Marks" on hundreds of buildings. You can contact the preservation society for a good rundown on them.