The first dance sponsored by the department to raise funds was held July 11^th, 1914 in Koch’s Hall. The dance provided $140. Baseball games between fire department teams were held on Sunday afternoons. Sale of refreshments benefited the home team.

The first department picnic was held on August 13th, 1915. It produced $339.43 for the treasury. Several more picnics and dances were held. By 1921, the department was able to buy a 1917 Jeffrey motorcar that they rebuilt into a fire truck. No photograph of it has been found, but one resident remembers that the vehicle had no roof or doors, and possibly not even a windshield. The Jeffrey Motor Car Company was founded in Kenosha, WI in 1901. Early models if the light, cheap twin cylinder front mounted engine earned a good reputation under the name “Rambler.” In 1914, the name of the car was changed to Jeffrey until 1917 when the company was taken over by Nash, and the Name was dropped.

The 1920’s

Because the minute-books for the years 1920-1950 could not be located, it is regrettable that the names and accomplishments of the men who served the department in that period are not completely included in this history. Newspapers and memories were the sources for those years.

The 1930’s

Newspapers of that time mention events at Koch’s Hall, music by Pat’s Hartford Cowboys, Eberle’s Beer garden with Lithia on tap and lunches served at all hours, Monroe Stahl cut ice from the lake to fill his icehouse. Chase and Sanborn coffee sold for $0.22 a pound.

The Beechwood Fire Department bought a 1938 Ford truck and built it into a fire truck. It was used until 1967. The department had a 500-gallon pumper, hoses and chemical tanks. Chemical tanks were especially important for fighting rural fires where there was not a reliable supply of water. In the early years, even whey-tank drivers would respond to a fire and contribute loads of whey to fight a fire.

The 1940’s

In July of 1940, the department bought Koch’s grove south of hwy S in Section 16 (Vol. 244 pg 85) and began clearing it for a park so that picnics could be held there. An area was leveled to lay a wooden dance floor. It was two days of work t o set up the dance floor ever time it was used. It was an open-air dance floor, surrounded by snow fencing. Dancing was to the music of Herbert Buhk. Admission charge was $0.42 plus $0.08 tax.

The next project was the construction of a dance pavilion. Other improvements included drilling a well, interior plumbing, and a beer stand. Wedding dances were held in the pavilion; it is now used for bingo games and the Auxiliary Sweet shop at the annual picnic.

In 1947, the department joined the Eastern Wisconsin Fireman’s Association, covering Sheboygan, Calumet, Manitowoc, and Ozaukee counties. Membership has continued to the present time.

The 1950’s

Fire Chief Arthur Staege, long-time chief of the department and garage operator in Beechwood for 35 years, dies on May 3, 1950. Assistant Chief Art Fritz succeeded him.

In 1954, the department bought a 1949 Studebaker truck with a 1250-gallon water tank, a 500-gallon per minute pump, and 1000 feet of 2 ½ inch hose.