By Rusty |
The original Cherrydale FD was the first fire company in then Alexandria County organized in 1898. (Falls Church formed then too but was considered in Fairfax County). Cherrydale at the time is not much more than a small farming village and crossroads along a popular road and rail line. The company with little in the way of apparatus operated from members homes adding a hand pulled hose and bucket wagon in 1904. In 1906, the company moved to its first fire station. In 1913, they add their first motorized a chemical engine -the first in the county as well. By 1914, the Cherrydale FD has expanded to 4 stations about the community operating 3 hose carts, a motorized chemical engine and a hook and ladder wagon.This is the best equipped department in Northern Virginia beyond Alexandria. By 1918, the CFD is fully motorized believed with three Ford "Model T" chemical engines. Late the following year, the company consolidates operations moving to its recently vacated then "central station" at 3900 Lee Highway as addressed today.
In 1920, the company re-organizes taking the name Cherrydale VFD. It is designated Company 3 in late 1935 with the first paid personnel assigned in 1940 the beginnings of the Arlington County FD. The Cherrydale VFD was well known back in the day often at most big fires throughout Northern Virginia. The fleet did not grow much past a two-piece engine company although the CVFD did run an ambulance back in the 1960s. One unique apparatus addition was a 1988 Ford "CF-700" Hackney known as Light Unit 73 later 103. While owned by the CVFD this was kept at Halls Hill Station 8 as Station 3 was of limited space. It was last reported at Falls Church Station 6 no longer in service.
The NoVa Station Apparatus Roster has been updated accordingly as has the Arlington County History that now includes photos. Visit the storefront to grab yours. For more info on Station 3 and the Cherrydale VFD visit acfd3.com and check out the "apparatus" and "gallery" for great old photos. See also the "history" section at cherrydalevfd.org. You can also follow Arlington County fire service goings on and history stories at arlingtonfirejournal.blogspot.com.