The Story of a Social Club that Saved Conneautville: The Last Word

I’m in the Crawford County community of Conneautville. I’m looking at the fire and EMS station in town. I don't see the name “Conneautville VFD and EMS” on the sign. I see the name "Fellows Club." That's been the name for over 100 years.

The Fellows Club was a group comprised of young businessmen in Conneautville. The club was founded in 1914. The members played pool. They played sports. The club owned property. The members had money. The same could not be said about the volunteer fire department in town.

Current Asst. Chief Allen Clark is the historian for the fire department and knows about its early struggles.

"Between the 1800s and 1923 at least five different fire departments organized and disbanded because of the lack of equipment and lack of funding for equipment,” he says.

Borough council in Conneautville just didn't seem inspired to financially support a fire department despite the frustration of the volunteers. But, after a couple devastating fires, council came up with a brilliant plan.

"So in 1923, Borough Council asked The Fellows Club if they would take over the horse-drawn equipment and become the fire department,” says Asst. Chief Clark.

One piece of that equipment was an 1882 horse-drawn and horse powered Remington pumper. That pumper is now a featured piece of history showcased at the Firefighters Museum in Erie. With its financial resources, the Fellows Club was able to purchase much newer equipment.

"They were able to acquire and build-up their income and they were able to buy lots of properties. They were business people and were able to use their money wisely,” says Asst. Chief Clark.

Most importantly, the Fellows Club had the manpower and membership to be able to respond to fire emergencies in Conneautville. The club amended its charter to include fire fighting as a duty. It was one of many services the club performed for the town.

"The Fellows Club, they were community minded,” says. Asst. Chief Clark. “They did programs and parties and activities for Halloween, for Christmas, for veterans. Anyone who needed something, they went to the Fellows Club."

That spirit of community still exists today, 101 years later, at the Fellows Club VFD and EMS in Conneautville.

A big parade was held last year to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Fellows Club Volunteer Fire Department. The 1882 Remington pumper was driven in that parade. A banquet was also held. It was attended by many past and present members of the department.