Dover Library makes historical find: Community news update

Dover Public Library discovers Dover Fire historical log books

DOVER – The staff at the Dover Public Library have made an extraordinary discovery while organizing archives in preparation for the library's upcoming renovations. In an effort led by Library Director Denise LaFrance, a previously uncatalogued set of Dover Fire Department log books has been found. These log books, comprising a four-book series, were uncovered in the library's archives and have now been transferred to the Dover Fire Department headquarters station.

This follows a similar discovery in 2012 of a set of log books that had languished for nearly a century in the attic of the Broadway Fire Station.  This new set of records appear to be from an even earlier period of time and relate to the Orchard Street Fire Station, now the site of Ember Wood Fired Grill at 1 Orchard St.  These new records span from November 1889 to December 1920, chronicling significate fires in Dover’s history.

Among the fascinating Dover fire incidents documented in these log books are:

• The fire at the Strafford County Insane Asylum in February of 1893, which resulted in the tragic loss of 44 lives.
• The Sawyer School fire in March 1890.
• The destruction of the Garrison Hill Wooden Observatory in June 1897.
• The Masonic Temple fire in March 1906.
• The Cocheco Mill fire in January 1907.
• The American House fire on Franklin Square in November 1907.

The Dover Fire Department is seeking memorabilia related to its history. Past firefighters, and families of deceased Dover firefighters have donated old Dover fire memorabilia and pictures over recent years. Anyone who has items they would like to share or donate is encouraged to contact Deputy Chief Craig Chabot at c.chabot@dover.nh.gov.

Somersworth native raises the national ensign aboard USS Ronald Reagan

SOMERSWORTH — Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Aircraft Handling) Alyssa Rogers, from Somersworth, raised the national ensign aboard the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) at Naval Base Kitsap, in Bremerton, Washington, on Aug. 13. After nine years as the U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, Ronald Reagan shifted into the 3rd Fleet area of operations to undergo a routine maintenance period. Ronald Reagan provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the United States, and supports alliances, partnerships and collective maritime interests in the Indo-Pacific region.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Dover Library makes historical find: Community news update