"Ben" the Firehorse Joins Tompkins Hose Fire Company

Good horse sense prevailed on June 18, 1903, the date Tompkins Hose Fire Company obtained Ben, a horse that remains to this day a legend in the annals of Beacon fire department history. Ben was in service (as one in a three-horse "hitch") for only three months with the New York City fire department when he was called to Beacon to pull solo duty for Tompkins Hose's fire apparatus. In his 15 years of service (1903-1918) to the Company, Ben not only provided the horsepower needed to transport our firefighters to fires but also performed the role of unofficial goodwill ambassador for Beacon. Ben, with his stand-out white hide and almost human-like personality, was a natural performer, something akin to an equine movie star of his day. At parades he could dazzle the crowds with his proud bearing and his considerable horsy showmanship skills (on command, while pulling a wagon, Ben could raise up his hind legs in special salute - a sure crowd-pleaser).

When, in the winter of 1910, Ben slipped on the ice careening down Ferry Street to a fire, tumbling horse, wagon, and six firemen to the ground, equal concern was given to horse and man (all recovered), such was the city's love for Ben. In 1918, Ben was put out to pasture on John Ganvoort's farm in Glenham, where he grazed contentedly until the end of his days in 1926.

Photos: "Ben" pulling Tompkin's Hose fire apparatus, with Matt Grady his driver; a tribute to Ben.