07/15/2026
From the archives...
Firemen's Day Parade, September 25, 1890
The volunteer fire companies of New London always held the reputation for being outstanding hosts to visiting companies from other cities during social and public events. This particular parade was no exception. Keep in mind, this day long event occured on a Thursday!
Prior to the parade, most of the merchants and shopkeepers on State, Bank and Main Street heavily decorated their storefronts in patriotic colors and signs welcoming the firemen. City Hall, the Customs House, and the Public Library dressed up as well. Thousands of spectators lined the parade route, many arriving via steamboats from Stonington and Westerly.
Probably the top hosts of the New London companies were the Konomoc.Hose #4. Their lucky guests were the Alert Hose #1 of Willimantic. The Alerts took a "special" train down to New London, arriving at 9:20 am. The Konomoc's met them at the station, and with the combined 3rd Regiment and Willimantic Bands, marched their guests to their house on Church St. After a brief rest and some hospitality, the Konomoc's and Alerts marched down Main to State St to the steamship terminals. Here, the group boarded a ferry for a sightseeing cruise to Fishers Island NY and the Bartlett's Reef lightship in Long Island Sound. After the cruise, they returned to the city, marched up State St. to the Crocker House Hotel for a large formal lunch.
After lunch, all the city companies, their guests and marching bands formed up for the parade.
The Alerts brought their well decorated parade carriage which was pulled by the members. On top was a large spool with the legend "Thread City Boys". The rest of the carriage was decorated with 10,000 spools of colored thread donated by the Willimantic Linen Co.
Other companies marching included the rest of the Willimantic Fire Department, the Norwich Fire Department including the Wauregan Steamers with their engine "Big Six", the New London Veteran Firemen with their old double decker hand tub engine, Tubbs Band, and the Moodus Fife and Drum Corps. Most of the units in the line of march were reported to consist of 40 to 60 members. All the companies wore the finest of dress uniforms, marched with military precision, and drew accolades from the crowds all along the route.
After the parade, the guests were treated to dinner by their Whaling City Hosts. Included were large banquets held at the Crocker House and at the Armory, catered by a business from New York. Band concerts were held for the public that evening outside of the various engine and hose houses.
At the end of the evening, the guests were escorted back to the train station for the trip home. State Street to the train station was illuminated by skyrockets, roman candles and red fire. The "special" trains departed the city for home at 9:00 pm.
What is amazing is that an entire city shut down for a business day, and so many must have taken the day off from work to watch or participate. Certainly the downtown merchants must have benefitted from the crowds, but this entire events purpose was to honor thier brave firemen. New London pulled out all the stops!Life certainly was much different 130 years ago.
Information was obtained from the "New London Evening Day" newspaper archives
And "100 Years of Niagara Engine Co" by Lilla Parish Lyman
Below:. Parade ribbon given to the guest Alert Hose #1 of Willimantic by their hosts, the Konomoc Hose , #4 of New London for the parade.
Willimantic Fire Fighters Local 1033
New London Firefighters, IAFF Local 1522
New London County Historical Society
New London County Fire Chief's Association
City of Norwich Volunteer Fire Service
Norwich Firefighters Local 892
Norwich Fire Department and Emergency Management
Stonington Borough Fire Department
