The romance of early American firefighting has inspired many stories, some based on fact and others more rooted in imagination. Among the most persistent myths are those surrounding fire marks – the distinctive metal badges that once adorned buildings throughout America. Today, we'll separate fact from fiction and reveal the true story of these fascinating artifacts.
The Popular Myths
If you've heard stories about fire marks, they probably go something like this:
"In the early days of American firefighting, volunteer fire companies would race to fires, but they would only fight the blaze if the building displayed their company's fire mark. Buildings without the proper mark were left to burn while firefighters stood by and watched."
"Insurance companies paid rewards to fire companies for saving insured properties, creating fierce competition and even violent confrontations between rival companies at fire scenes."
These stories make for exciting tales, but they are largely fiction.
The Historical Reality
The truth about fire marks is less dramatic but no less interesting. Fire marks originated in England in the late 1600s, where newly formed fire insurance companies used them to identify properties they insured. When the concept came to America, it evolved differently.
The First American Fire Mark
In 1752, Benjamin Franklin's Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire issued the first American fire mark. Cast in lead, it featured four clasped hands – a symbol of mutual assistance. This mark, and the hundreds of designs that followed from other companies, served several purposes, but controlling firefighting efforts was not among them.
The True Purposes of Fire Marks
1. Advertising
Fire marks were essentially early advertising signs. In an era before modern marketing, they provided visible proof of an insurance company's presence and success in a community.
2. Proof of Insurance
After a fire, when policy documents might be destroyed, a fire mark could serve as evidence that a property was insured, helping expedite the claims process.
3. Deterrent to Arson
Some believed that marking a property as insured might deter arsonists, though the effectiveness of this is debatable.
4. Company Pride
For property owners, displaying a fire mark showed financial prudence and association with a reputable insurance company.
The Truth About Volunteer Fire Companies
American volunteer fire companies were founded on principles of civic duty and community service. These organizations, often comprising the most prominent citizens in a community, fought fires regardless of insurance status. Their motivation came from:
- Protecting their community and neighbors
- Preventing fires from spreading to other properties
- Civic pride and social status
- The camaraderie of membership in the fire company
While some insurance companies did provide donations to fire companies, these were typically modest annual contributions to support equipment and operations, not payments for specific firefighting services.
The Rise and Fall of Fire Marks
Fire marks reached their peak popularity in America between 1850 and 1870. During these two decades, approximately 56% of all fire mark-issuing companies were established. This period coincided with rapid urban growth and the expansion of the insurance industry.
Notable Statistics
- • Over 30 firemen's insurance companies were organized in the United States
- • Hundreds of different fire mark designs were created
- • Some companies continued issuing marks into the 1990s as historical commemoratives
The decline of fire marks came with several developments:
- The establishment of paid, municipal fire departments
- The rise of modern advertising methods
- Standardization in the insurance industry
- Building codes and fire prevention regulations
Notable Examples and Exceptions
While the myths about fire marks are largely false, there were some interesting variations in practice:
The Philadelphia Contributionship
Required property inspections and refused to insure houses with certain fire hazards, including trees too close to buildings.
The Mutual Assurance Company
Founded specifically to insure properties with trees, using a green tree as their fire mark symbol in deliberate contrast to their competitors.
The Insurance Company of North America
Made fire marks optional for their policyholders, recognizing that the marks were more about advertising than operational necessity.
The Legacy of Fire Marks
Today, fire marks are prized by collectors and historians as tangible links to America's past. They represent:
- Early American entrepreneurship and the development of the insurance industry
- The evolution of firefighting from volunteer to professional services
- Decorative arts and early American metalworking craftsmanship
- Regional history and local pride
"Fire marks were an expression of the insurance industry's history, tradition and longevity – a visual representation of an industry primarily documented through contracts and paperwork."
— Dick Doyle, Fire Mark Historian
Conclusion: The Real Good Story
The true story of American fire marks may lack the drama of the myths, but it reveals something more profound about American society. These artifacts tell us about:
- Communities that organized to protect themselves
- The development of modern business practices
- The evolution from mutual aid to professional services
- The American spirit of innovation and adaptation
Fire marks remind us that history is often more nuanced than the stories we tell. While the myths persist because they're exciting, the truth reveals a more complex and ultimately more interesting picture of how Americans built their communities and protected their property in an era before modern firefighting and insurance practices.
The next time you see a fire mark in a museum or on an old building, remember: it's not a symbol of selective firefighting or corporate control, but rather a testament to American ingenuity, community spirit, and the evolution of public safety.
This article is based on extensive research into primary sources, insurance company records, and firefighting history. Special thanks to the collectors and historians who have preserved these artifacts and their stories for future generations.
Author: Robert M. Shea, March 2014
References
Books and Monographs
- Bulau, Alwin E. Footprints of Assurance. New York: Macmillan Company, 1953.
- Henham, Brian. Hand in Hand. London: Commercial Union Assurance Company plc, 1996.
- Proctor, John Clagett. Into Another Century: 1937-2037. Washington: American Historical Society, 1937.
- Shackleton, Robert. The Book of Philadelphia. Philadelphia: Penn Publishing Company, 1918.
Company Publications
- Aetna Insurance Company. Company Manuals. Hartford: Aetna Insurance Company, 1819, 1867.
- Franklin Fire Insurance Company. One Hundred Years. Philadelphia: Franklin Fire Insurance Company, 1929.
- Insurance Company of North America. American Fire Marks. Philadelphia: Insurance Company of North America, 1933.
- Philadelphia Contributionship. At the Sign of the Hand-in-Hand. Philadelphia: Philadelphia Contributionship, 1926.
Periodicals and Journals
- The Chronicle. Various issues.
- Fire Mark Circle of the Americas Newsletter/Journal. Various issues.
- Insurance Review. Various issues.
- The Spectator. Various issues.
Academic and Research Sources
- Carlson, Jennifer Anne. The Economics of Fire Protection. London: Institute of Economic Affairs.
Contributing Historians and Researchers
- Charles Nelson Bishop
- Dick Doyle
- George Cuthbert Gillespie
- Dr. Glenn Holt
- Regina R. Reynolds
- Robert Shackleton
Note: This article synthesizes decades of research by members of the Fire Mark Circle of the Americas. Many primary sources were accessed through private collections, insurance company archives, and historical societies. We are grateful to all who have contributed to preserving and understanding the history of American fire marks.