Introduction

The earliest history of the Hudson Fire dept begins within the Town of Marlborough.  Hudson was part of Marlborough and was known as the North Village.  Most of the early settlers were farmers and wanted to preserve the town as a farming community, but as the town progressed it soon became known as the Mills.  Around 1799 the town was called Feltonville, named after Silas Felton who was one of Hudson’s wealthiest merchants at that time.

It was on January 17, 1842 that a meeting was called to order for the young men of Feltonville to take into consideration the best methods of forming an Engine Co.  The “Feltonville Engine Co.” was formed with a membership of twenty-one men, with Francis Brigham named as the foreman.  By mid summer an engine was obtained, mainly through the efforts of Mr. Charles Brigham and cost about two hundred dollars.  It was nothing more than a “tub” as it had no suction hose and needed to be filled with pails.  The company disbanded in 1843 with a new company lasting until about 1847, when a second reformation was made.

In 1849 Marlborough voted to furnish the North Village “Feltonville” with a new engine, providing that the citizens of that village would provide the engine house and its company.  A new engine company was formed consisting of thirty eight members and the engine was received July 9, 1849.  The engine was called “Hydraulicon No. 3” (This is one of three suction type hand tubs built by the Howard & Davis Co. of Boston delivered to Marlborough in 1849) Her first actual service took place November 14, 1849 at a fire in the south part of Bolton, a barn belonging to James Howe although she was placed in service July 11 1849.

On September 7, 1857 the engine company name was changed to “The Eureka Engine Co. No. 3 of Marlborough. In 1860 the engine house was built on the east side of Washington St. near School St. just south of the river.

On March 16, 1866 the Town of Hudson Mass was incorporated and broke off from Marlborough. Thus begins the organization of the Hudson Fire Department.  It was on may 27, 1866 that a new engine company was formed and was to be known as “ The Eureka Engine Co. No. 1 “ of Hudson.  It was also voted to buy new uniforms and to invite all members of the old Eureka Engine Co. No. 3 to become new members of the Eureka Engine Co. No. 1.   Besides this, the oldest company in the history of the town, there is the Bucket Hook & Ladder Co., Independent Hose Co., H.E. Stowe Hose Co. and the Relief hook & Ladder Companies.  

These companies, with one hundred hydrants to furnish water, afford ample protection against fire, as has been proven in many cases.