Since 1974

The need for local fire protection was apparent to the people of Stony Point for some time. The area was rural and geographically remote from Charlottesville and its other satellite communities. The nearest fire department was the East Rivanna Company over the mountain in Keswick and the response time was too great to be of any real service to Stony Point. 

In 1974, several members of a local civic organization got together and decided a public meeting should be held to discuss the matter. Chuck Norford, one of the first Stony Pointers to get involved, distributed flyers calling for the gathering. The result was a packed house and soon progress was being made. 

A board of directors was named, including Chuck Norford, Montie Pace, Robert N. Woodall, Mrs. Angelica Kilham, John Haskell and John Desio. Ted Armentrout was asked to be Fire Chief.

Eager volunteers stepped forward rapidly and enthusiastically, so filling the remaining ranks posed no problem. The dilemma that remained was many faced; find an acceptable site, plan and build the firehouse, purchase the necessary equipment, and raise money to put it all together.

Montie Pace persuaded Charlottesville Oil Co. to donate an old tank truck (Tanker 69). GOCO Oil Co. followed suit, and gave the company the tanker that became Tanker 68.

A pumper truck is an important part of any fire fleet, so fire company representatives applied for a $54,000 loan from National Bank in Charlottesville to purchase one. The equipment was at the time was being housed at Park Hill Farm and Lumber.

After investigating several possibilities, property for the firehouse was affordably purchased from John and Ann Carol Haskell. Firehouse plans became a reality- National Bank was approached again, this time for the $60,000 needed to build the firehouse, but the bank loan turned out to be unnecessary.

The county of Albemarle had made it a practice to offer financial support to fire companies once they had been established; it took over the loan and made it interest free. A $6,000 annual curtailment was made, drawn from the yearly allocation of $24,600 made by the County. 

Groundbreaking ceremonies were held August 5, 1975 and the building was ready for use the following summer. A brand new tanker now occupies the building, which also houses, 2 pumpers and 1 brush truck to serve and protect our Stony Point Community. 

We've come along way in 50 years and have many ideas of how our fire department can continue to meet the needs of our growing community--With your continued support of money, time, and talent these ideas can also be a reality soon.