There’s no Zipper, Tilt-A-Whirl or dizzying Round Up ride to be seen in this photograph from the Hillsdale Fire Association’s annual carnival held July 1–8, 1916.
Generations of Pascack Valley residents have fond childhood memories of the fire department’s carnival. Nowadays held in the center of town, off Hillsdale Avenue near Friendly’s, it helps support Hillsdale’s bravest in their efforts to keep the borough safe from fire. Interestingly, the department held its first fair way back in 1902, when its proceeds helped to pay for a hose reel and pump—which the men had to haul by hand to the fire scene—and a small shed to house the equipment. Annual fair proceeds would also help to build the first firehouse in 1906.
In the early 20th century, as in the photo above, the fair took place on what was then vacant land at Magnolia Avenue and Cross Street. In this picture, Cross Street runs diagonally at the bottom right. The houses in the background are on Magnolia. The vacant land has long since been developed with houses.
This photo gives some perspective on what firefighting was like in Hillsdale at the time:
The image shows Hillsdale firefighters responding to a call in 1915, back when horses pulled the fire apparatus to the scene. The 1906 firehouse is shown in the background.