By Peter Elacqua
Staff Writer
MARLBORO – The Morganville Independent Fire Company is inviting residents to help celebrate its 100th anniversary. The company will hold a celebration to mark its century of service from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m May 14 at the firehouse, 393 Route 79, in the Morganville section of Marlboro.
The celebration will feature entertainment, a display of fire vehicles and the dedication and blessing of a new fire truck.
According John Reith, who chairs the 100th anniversary committee, the catered affair requires patrons who are interested in eating or drinking at the event to purchase a mug from the fire company at a cost of $10. Proceeds will go to the fire company.
According to information provided by the fire company, fire protection in Marlboro started in 1908 when the Marlboro Volunteer Fire Company was organized. That fire company continues to serve the community today from its headquarters in Marlboro Village.
Before Marlboro had its own fire department, the only firefighting services came from Freehold Borough’s first company, the Goodwill Hook and Ladder Company, which was organized in 1872, and Matawan’s first company, the Washington Engine Company, which was organized in 1875.
Sometime after the Marlboro Volunteer Fire Company was organized, the Morganville Volunteer Fire Company was formed.
In 1916, a group of men from the Morganville Volunteer Fire Company decided to form a new fire company. Those men held the first meeting of the new Independent Volunteer Fire Company of Morganville (now known as the Morganville Independent Fire Company) on Feb. 15, 1916.
“We are happy that we were able to come from a humble beginning to highly trained firefighters with modern equipment,” Reith said. “We want to honor the people before us who built what the fire company is today.”