Guilford, Maine

History of Events
by: Piscataquis Community Middle School 8th Grade Students

Included in the next three pages:
Fires
Floods
Log Drives

Fires

Text By: Jamie Libby and Chase Bouton
Eighth Grade Students at
Piscataquis Community Middle School
Images from the Guilford Historical Society

Fires In Guilford

Fires happen every day. Employed fire departments keep their fire fighters all year round. Volunteer fire departments don’t operate the same way. They could be called in at anytime. The Guilford Fire Department is a volunteer fire department and was founded in 1893.
(Gen. Disasters 2006-2010)

In the beginning there were 16 members, all men. All they had was a linen hose, a two-wheeled hose reel, and a sled for in the winter. They were paid around three dollars a year. The Guilford Fire Department bought their first fire truck, a 1931 Ford, which is still used in parades today.
(Tom Goulette)

The town hall in Guilford was built in 1880. It was used for many things, most importantly to keep files. But in 1928 the town hall burnt to the ground. In this fire many files were lost in this fire. The town hall was not built again on this spot.
(Maine Memory Network 2000-2010)

One of the big fires that happened was on December 7, 1902. An entire block was destroyed by this huge fire. Also, it destroyed many business, and left three different secret societies without a place to meet. The total loss was $22,000.
(Gen. Disasters 2006-2010)

On June 28, 1958, Hardwood Products, one of Guilford’s most successful businesses, caught on fire. The Guilford Fire Department responded and put out the flames. This was a very hard fire to fight. In the end the fire department lost 2,000 feet of hose and much more in expensive equipment. Sadly there was $750,000 in damages.
(Guilford History 1990s)

One of Guilford’s biggest businesses burned down on March 1, 2003. The Braeburn Hotel had been many different businesses over the years, including a post office. The Braeburn, in 2003, was used as an apartment building. Sadly, the Braeburn burnt to the ground.
(Town of Guilford 2003-2004)

On January 24, 2004, a historical building burnt down in Guilford. The Trebor Mansion was reported on fire at 9:45 in the morning. At the time the Trebor was 173 years old. Seven fire departments responded to the fire. There were 80 fire fighters there. It was in subzero weather and two people were injured. Later on, they found that the fire had started on the first floor due to an old wood stove. Next, the fire spread to the upper floors. The only thing left was bad smoke and heat damage. Later, on the Mansion was rebuilt to its former glory.
(Trebor Mansion Inn 2002-2006)

The Guilford Fire Department works hard at every fire. They have meetings every first Sunday of the month and training every second Monday. They work hard to keep Guilford people and businesses safe, by keeping updated on their equipment and by keeping their fire fighters updated on their training. By doing so they save many buildings, homes, and big businesses in Guilford.