Our History...

Glasco got its name from a glass company’s sign on a river-front warehouse, which read “Glass Co."

In the 1880’s, The Washburn Store, located in the hamlet of Glasco, was opened and was owned and operated by the Washburn Brothers Company Brick Yard. The Washburn Brothers Brick Company was the immediate area’s largest employer and encouraged European immigrants to settle in the hamlet of Glasco. Glasco got its name from a glass company’s sign on a river-front warehouse, which read “Glass Co.”, which is currently identified as Ciarlante’s.​

In response to this growing community and realizing the need for a fire company, the Washburn Hook & Ladder Co. #2 was formed, to protect the community of homes and the industrial complex on the Hudson River, where the large wooden buildings for the brickyards and icehouses were located.

In the spring of 1900, the Mulford Engine Co. #1 and the Washburn Hook  & Ladder Co. #2 began sharing space in the Fireman’s Hall, located next to St. Joseph’s Church. It wasn’t until the 1949, that the conglomerated fire companies began using the name of the Glasco Fire Company.

In 1928, the Washburn Company purchased it’s first motorized firetruck, which was used to respond alongside the Mulford Engine Company’s main firefighting equipment, a pull cart. The pull cart was replaced by a motorized Chevrolet fire truck in 1934 and has since been retired.

In 1953, the conglomerated Glasco Fire Company purchased an Oren to replace the 1934 Chevy. The Oren can still be seen at the Glasco Firehouse, right in front of the original Mulford Engine Company's first piece of fire figting equipment, the pull-cart.
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​In 1958, the Glasco Fire Company’s Ladies Auxiliary was formed. Since that time, the Ladies Auxiliary has played a vital role in the Glasco Fire Company, sponsoring Christmas and Halloween parties for the youths, working at the annual Glasco Bazaars and in the kitchen for numerous community functions.

In 1969, plans for a new building were established. The Lightweight Aggregate Company, a subsidiary of Northeast Solite, donated property in 1970, through the efforts of Joseph Fabiano and the Committee and by February of 1971, the fire company was holding its first meeting in the new building.

In August of 2000, the Glasco Fire Company celebrated its centennial celebration, which featured in true Glasco style, a parade, bazaar and fireworks. Food was provided and cooked at the firehouse by Tim and Sandy of Rudy’s Restaurant.

​To this day, the Glasco Fire Company is self supporting, with the district owning the equipment used for firefighting, the firehouse and grounds. The Glasco Fire Department thrives because of the tight-knit community in which it exists.