James V. Brown Library - Lycoming County Digital Photo Archive

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Over two thousand (2,000) local historical photographs, drawings and images of old Lycoming County, PA. can be found here. Images are shown in a small version for browsing or as a full size image for detail.

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Fire boat, 1937

Fire engines and equipment, Boats, Williamsport, Fire fighters

Fire boat, 1937

Fire Chief's car

Fire engines and equipment, Fire fighters, Williamsport

Fire Chief's car

Fire Chief's car, 1925

Fire engines and equipment, Fire fighters, Williamsport

Fire Chief's car, 1925

Fire Department car

Fire engines and equipment, Fire fighters, Williamsport

Fire Department car

Fire fighters testing equipment, 1939

Fire fighters, Fire engines and equipment, Williamsport

Fire fighters testing equipment, 1939

Fire fighters testing pumper, 1938

Fire fighters, Williamsport, Fire engines and equipment

Fire fighters testing pumper, 1938

Fire House No. 7, Market Street, 1925

Fire stations, Fire fighters, Williamsport

Fire House No. 7, Market Street, 1925

Fire House No. 7, Market Street, 1939

Fire stations, Fire fighters, Williamsport

Fire House No. 7, Market Street, 1939

Firefighter uses magnetic phone to call other engine houses, January, 1939

Fire fighters, Williamsport, Telephones

Firefighter uses magnetic phone to call other engine houses, January, 1939

Fireman's Tomb: Pallbearers shove the unembalmed body of Thomas Pursell into his tomb.

Tombs and sepulchral monuments, Cemeteries, Fire fighters, Williamsport

Fireman's Tomb: Pallbearers shove the unembalmed body of Thomas Pursell into his tomb. Article from "Life" Magazine July 5, 1937, p. 76. Letter accompanying photographs, written by Helen M. Unger, reads: "Sirs: When Thomas Pursell, 83-year-old retired fireman, was buried in a Williamsport cemetery on June 15, a door of one of the strangest burial places in the world was bolted shut. Fear of being buried alive prompted Pursell to conceive plans for and erect this mausoleum with ventilating system and patented wheel lock, which can be opened only from the inside. The fireman spent a year and a half perfecting the vault. He made by hand the brass bolts which fasten the door in place, and entrusted James Miller, a friend, to apply them and clip off the tops with a hack saw so that no entry could be made. Placement of a hammer and two boards by his side, to aid in an exit should resurrection occur, was a part of the burial which attracted the curious to the cemetery grounds.

Fireman's Tomb: Pursell's body, wrapped in a blanket, may emerge feet first from the vault.

Tombs and sepulchral monuments, Cemeteries, Williamsport, Fire fighters

Fireman's Tomb: Pursell's body, wrapped in a blanket, may emerge feet first from the vault.. Article from "Life" Magazine July 5, 1937, p. 76. Letter accompanying photographs, written by Helen M. Unger, reads: "Sirs: When Thomas Pursell, 83-year-old retired fireman, was buried in a Williamsport cemetery on June 15, a door of one of the strangest burial places in the world was bolted shut. Fear of being buried alive prompted Pursell to conceive plans for and erect this mausoleum with ventilating system and patented wheel lock, which can be opened only from the inside. The fireman spent a year and a half perfecting the vault. He made by hand the brass bolts which fasten the door in place, and entrusted James Miller, a friend, to apply them and clip off the tops with a hack saw so that no entry could be made. Placement of a hammer and two boards by his side, to aid in an exit should resurrection occur, was a part of the burial which attracted the curious to the cemetery grounds."

Fireman's Tomb: The late Thomas Pursell

Tombs and sepulchral monuments, Fire fighters, Cemeteries, Williamsport

Fireman's Tomb: The late Thomas Pursell. Article from "Life" Magazine July 5, 1937, p. 76. Letter accompanying photographs, written by Helen M. Unger, reads: "Sirs: When Thomas Pursell, 83-year-old retired fireman, was buried in a Williamsport cemetery on June 15, a door of one of the strangest burial places in the world was bolted shut. Fear of being buried alive prompted Pursell to conceive plans for and erect this mausoleum with ventilating system and patented wheel lock, which can be opened only from the inside. The fireman spent a year and a half perfecting the vault. He made by hand the brass bolts which fasten the door in place, and entrusted James Miller, a friend, to apply them and clip off the tops with a hack saw so that no entry could be made. Placement of a hammer and two boards by his side, to aid in an exit should resurrection occur, was a part of the burial which attracted the curious to the cemetery grounds."

Fireman's Tomb: The Pursell vault is ventilated by the chimney shown on the roof.

Tombs and sepulchral monuments, Cemeteries, Williamsport, Fire fighters

Fireman's Tomb: The Pursell vault is ventilated by the chimney shown on the roof.. Article from "Life" Magazine July 5, 1937, p. 76. Letter accompanying photographs, written by Helen M. Unger, reads: "Sirs: When Thomas Pursell, 83-year-old retired fireman, was buried in a Williamsport cemetery on June 15, a door of one of the strangest burial places in the world was bolted shut. Fear of being buried alive prompted Pursell to conceive plans for and erect this mausoleum with ventilating system and patented wheel lock, which can be opened only from the inside. The fireman spent a year and a half perfecting the vault. He made by hand the brass bolts which fasten the door in place, and entrusted James Miller, a friend, to apply them and clip off the tops with a hack saw so that no entry could be made. Placement of a hammer and two boards by his side, to aid in an exit should resurrection occur, was a part of the burial which attracted the curious to the cemetery grounds."

Fireman's Tomb: The vault, sealed by James Miller, can still be opened from inside by Pursell.

Tombs and sepulchral monuments, Cemeteries, Williamsport, Fire fighters

Fireman's Tomb: The vault, sealed by James Miller, can still be opened from inside by Pursell.. Article from "Life" Magazine July 5, 1937, p. 76. Letter accompanying photographs, written by Helen M. Unger, reads: "Sirs: When Thomas Pursell, 83-year-old retired fireman, was buried in a Williamsport cemetery on June 15, a door of one of the strangest burial places in the world was bolted shut. Fear of being buried alive prompted Pursell to conceive plans for and erect this mausoleum with ventilating system and patented wheel lock, which can be opened only from the inside. The fireman spent a year and a half perfecting the vault. He made by hand the brass bolts which fasten the door in place, and entrusted James Miller, a friend, to apply them and clip off the tops with a hack saw so that no entry could be made. Placement of a hammer and two boards by his side, to aid in an exit should resurrection occur, was a part of the burial which attracted the curious to the cemetery grounds."

Firemen practicing resuscitation, 1932

Fire fighters, Williamsport

Firemen practicing resuscitation, 1932

Firemen presented with First Aid certificates, April, 1941

Fire fighters, Williamsport

Firemen presented with First Aid certificates, April, 1941

Firemen testing equipment, 1939

Fire fighters, Williamsport, Fire engines and equipment

Firemen testing equipment, 1939

Firemen testing pumper, 1940

Fire fighters, Fire engines and equipment, Williamsport

Firemen testing pumper, 1940

Horse-drawn ladder truck, June, 1917

Fire engines and equipment, Horses, Fire fighters, Williamsport

Horse-drawn ladder truck.

Ladder truck, April, 1945

Fire engines and equipment, Fire fighters, Williamsport

Ladder truck, April, 1945

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James V. Brown Library - Lycoming County Digital Photo Archive

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