Stephanie Gouss Collection
COLLECTION: 2013.15
CREATOR: Various
EXTENT: Linear Feet: 0.75 linear feet, number of containers: 2 boxes
COLLECTION SUMMARY: Photographs and documents from West Mahwah Hose Co. No.2 also known as Mahwah Fire Company No. 2, 1928 – 1939.
RECEIVED FROM: Stephanie Gouss in 2013
LANGUAGES: English
PROCESSING ARCHIVIST: Debra Utko, November 2019.
Collection Details
Biographical / Historical Note: The Mahwah Fire Company was established in 1915, with Co. No. 1 being the first to organize. Co. No 2 was formed independently in 1928 to protect the growing development of workers’ homes west of the railroad and the American Brakeshoe factory itself. Fire trucks from the east side of the railroad tracks could not make it through the railroad underpasses. When Co. No. 2 was established, the original founding members, John Mayhook and Harry Garboski, kept the first engine housed in John’s garage at his house on Route 202 until the firehouse was built in 1930. Co. No. 2 became part of the township organization in 1934. The original structure consisted of a two bay garage which was expanded in 1965 to a four bay garage, then to a six bay garage in 1989.
John Mayhook was born on June 6, 1898 in Czechoslovakia (Source: John Mayhook U.S. Draft Card). His parents were Hungarian, born as John and Annie Mayhook (Source: Mahwah, NJ Census 1910). He lived on Route 202 near the American Brakeshoe factory. He had a wife Julia and a son John Jr. Son John Jr. married Delores Osborne in May 1949. John Mayhook Sr. died on June 6, 1988. He is buried at Ramapo Reformed Church cemetery.
Collection Description: This collection of papers and photographs is a sampling of the early years of West Mahwah Hose Co. No.2 also known as Mahwah Fire Company No. 2, 1928 – 1939. It does not include research or documents on John Mayhook or Stephanie Gouss.
Arrangement Description: Alphabetical by folder.
Separated Materials: None.
Subject Headings:
- Fire Departments
- Mahwah Fire Company No. 2.
- Mayhook, John
- New Jersey Fireman’s Convention, 1934
- West Mahwah Hose Co. No.2
Using the Collection
ACCESS STATEMENT: Collection is open and available for use. If used in a publication, the Museum expects to be credited.
RIGHTS STATEMENT: The Mahwah Museum owns the materials, but researchers wishing to publish or reprint materials need to secure permission from the copyright holder.
PREFERRED CITATION: [ITEM DESCRIPTION], Stephanie Gouss Collection, Mahwah Museum, Mahwah, NJ.
Collection Inventory
Box 1: List of Folders
1. Building drawing and material specifications, West Mahwah Hose Co. No. 2, 1928
2. Correspondence
3. Events: Minstrel show program. New Jersey and New York Volunteer Firemen’s Association Inc.
4. Newsprint
5. Organizational records, including a fire roster, membership application, by-laws, ca. 1933
Box 2: List of Folders
1. Object: Burroughs Welcome Tabloid Bandage Boric Compress
2. Photographs: John Mayhook, Mahwah Fire Co. No. 2, 1934 Firemen’s Convention, Atlantic City, NJ