Author Archives:
2/26/16 Trailer Fire in East Aurora
11/2015 The Gow School – Old Art Building
This is the old Art building at The Gow School. This was originally a barn, then a
chapel for the school, then class rooms & then an art class room. 11/2015 this building
was taken down.
2015 TransAm ambulance MVA on RT. 400
11/2015 Tree down on Warner Hill Rd.
2015 Fire Prevention at Immaculate Conception
Mike Ende and Chief Mike McClure speak to the students.
Ed Kibler and Kayla Jakubczak show students how to use the hose from the fire truck.
2015 Barn fire on Porterville Rd.
7/2015 Fire Truck Pull Mens Team
7/2015 SWFC 1st Female team to pull a fire truck
Kayla Jakubczak, Charlene Schneckenberger, Deanna Breeser, Linda Popiel,
Brenda O’Connor, Cheryl Ciapa
7/2015 Fire Truck Pull – Men
SWFC men’s team for the fire truck pull
7/2015 Fire truck pull – Females
The SWFC Females were the 1st all girls team for the fire truck pull. Kayla Jakubczak, Charlene Schneckenberger, Linda Popiel, Deanna Breeser, Brenda O’Connor, Cheryl Ciapa
6/2015 SWFC members playing Water Ball
2015 SWFC Officers
12/2014 Christmas Cheer Baskets
The South Wales Fire Company every year makes up baskets and delivers them to
residents in our fire district who have lost a loved one, illness, hardship.
12/2014 Christrmas Cheer Baskets
2014 Fire in the Woods behind Circle B on Olean Rd.
2014 Christmas Parade
4/2014 Training at Ch. 2 Tower
Tim Hausauer
Les Midura Jr. & Jason Breeser
3/2014 Emery Inn taken down
2013 – Emery Park
Stohrer’s Lodge
Field House
Shelter
Ski Lodge
South water Falls
Water Falls
2013 Christmas Cheer Baskets
Paul Norberg Home on Carpenter Hill Rd.
2013 – 5827 Vermont Hill Rd.
One of the oldest homes on Vermont Hill Rd.
2013 – 6722 Vermont Hill Rd.
One of the oldest homes on Vermont Hill Rd.
2013 – 6566 Vermont Hill Rd.
One of the oldest farm homes on Vermont Hill Rd.
2013 – 6188 Vermont Hill Rd.
One of the oldest farm homes on Vermont Hill Rd.
2013 – 6118 Vermont Hill Rd.
One of the oldest farm homes on Vermont Hill Rd.
2013 – 6042 Vermont Hill Rd.
One of the oldest farm homes on Vermont Hill Rd.
2013 – 5866 Vermont Hill Rd. Old Weber Homestead
One of the oldest Farm Homes on Vermont Hill Rd.
Goodleburg Cemetery
Goodleburg Cemetery
Goodleburg Cemetery – 2013
It is said that Dr. Goodleberg performed illegal abortion s then burying the newborn & patient that didn’t survive the procedure
behind his home located on a small hill overlooking the cemetery
2013 South Wales Town Court
2013 Emery Park Inn
2013 Christmas Parade
2/16/13 Bail Out Training
1/20/13 Windy day on Willis Ave.
2013 South Wales Presbyterian Church
9/2013 Chicken BBQ, with Mercy Flight coming for a visit
Two children dressing up in fire gear Jason Breeser & his son Hunter sitting in Mercy Flight
8/2013 Golf outing for Mercy Flight
Cheryl Ciapa, Nick Pollutro, Chris Gowanlock, Kathy Rose
Are golf team came in 1st place & won Mercy Flight to come to the fire company
for a visit. They will be coming to our chicken BBQ
2013 SWFC Celebrates 50 Years since our Fire Company had the 1st female firefighters
Helen Silliman & Flossie Bragg were the first female firefighters in Erie County 50 years ago.
The Gow School
The Gow School
Admission
Cornwall Building
Dinning Hall and Gow Center
Green Cottage
Whitcomb Building
Warner House
Orton Building
2013 – SWFC Female firefighters
2013 – South Wales Voluneer Fire Company female firefighters
SWFC members
South Wales Volunteer Fire Company members
5/16/13 SWFC Female Firefighters
Cheryl Ciapa, Julie, Wysocki, Brenda O’Connor, Charlene Schnechenberger, Barb Kowalski, Linda, Popiel, Kathy Rose
5/2013 Memorial Day Parade in Wales Ctr.
JT Cashmore, Ian Ginnick Chris Gowanlock, Cheryl Ciapa, Tim Hausauer, Nate Damon
5/2013 SWFC female firefighters
Cheryl Ciapa, Charlene Schneckenberger, Kathy Rose, Barb Kowalski, Brenda O’Connor, Julie Wysocki, Linda Popiel
2012 Christmas Cheer Baskets
5/2012 Prom Training with Holland Fire at Holland School
9/2012 Drill at Nuwer’s
8/2012 First Aid Drill
Charlene Schneckenberger
Cheryl Ciapa, Charlene Schneckenber as patient
5/2012 Tower Training Fun
11/2012 Car Fire on Olean Rd.
10/2012 Fire Prevention at Holland School
Mike Ende explaining the ambulance
10/2012 Fire Prevention at Immaculate Concetion
2012 Bennett Farm Fire
2012 Bennett Farm fire in Holland.
2012-Holland fire
2012 House fire in Holland, SWFC members were finished and walking back to our fire truck.
2011 – Ken Brown
Ken Brown from The Field of Dreams Christmas Tree Farm, donates the Hot Coco money to the fire company every year.
2011 – Ken Brown of Field of Dreams hot coco girl donates a check to the South Wales Fire Company treasurer Cheryl Ciapa.
2011 Cheer Baskets
2011 – Christmas Cheer Baskets, we deliver these baskets to people in need in our fire district
2011 Christmas Cheer Baskets
2011 Preschool Fire Prevention
Brian Greeson talking to preschool students about EMS & Fire Fighting
Ian Ginnick dressed in full turn out gear with air packs.
2011 Drill at Richardson Cottage
Drafting from the creek at Richardsons Cottage Drafting from the portable pond
2011 House fire in Holland
2011 – House fire in Holland
2011 cornwall Rd garage fire
2011 – Cornwall Rd. garage fire
2010 Christmas Cheer Baskets
2010 Drill for cutting the roof open on a house in Holland
Jason Breeser, Mike Ende, Chief Mike McClure cutting a roof vent. Jason Breeser, Mike Ende venting the roof
Live burn in Holland
11/2010 Fire Prevention
2010-House Fire Olean Rd. Holland
2011 House Fire on Olean Rd in Holland
2009 Fire Prevention at Immaculate Conception
Chief Mike McClure, Linda Popiel, Ed Kibler Linda Popiel & Ed Kibler showing the students how to use the hose off the fire truck.
2009 Drill as a fill site & to draft from the pond at Emery Park
#5 is fill the portable pond #4 is getting ready to draft from the portable pond
2009 Fire Prevention at Holland School
Linda Popiel talking to Students at Holland School Katie Ginnick
2009 – MVA Emery Rd.
4/24/2009 – MVA on Emery Rd.
2009 MVAOlean Rd.
2009 MVA on Olean Rd. in East Aurora
2008 – Hotel Demonish
2008 Grass Fire on Olean Rd.
2008 Preschool Fire Prevention
Brian Greeson talking to preschoolers about EMS & fire fighting
2008 Fire at a shelter at Emery Park
2008 Fire Driil with Wates Ctr.
Dave Benedict learning how to exit a window. Dave Benedict coming out the window How to chop a hole in the roof.
Jeff McMullen breaking a window Jeff McMullen
2008 Fire Prevention
Chief Mike McClure demonstrates how to put on SCBA equipment. Brian Greeson explaining first aid in the ambulance
Brian Greeson, Ed Kibler
Ed Kibler letting the children use the fire hose.
2007 Rope Climbing Drill
Dave Benedict Cheryl Ciapa, Kathy Rose
Cheryl Ciapa, Brian Greeson
2007 Lewis Rd. Barn Fire
2007 Chicken BBQ
Paul Rose mixing the coleslaw for the chicken BBQ Bill Reed checking the chicken
2007 Controlled Barn Fire
2007 Controlled barn fire
2007 House Chimney Fire
2007 – House chimney fire on Lewis Rd.
2006 RJ Bragg on #2
RJ Bragg
2006 MVA on Olean Rd, at Subway
Sue Bragg, RJ Bragg
2006 Fire in the wood on Warner Hill in Wales Ctrt.
RJ Bragg on #5 Cheryl Ciapa, Brian Greeson, Mike McClure, Marty O’Connor, Jeff McMullen
Cleaning up & loaning the hose back onto #5
2006 Car Drill
10/2006 Going into Cheektowaga to help after the Oct. Storm
2006 Mercy Flight at The Gow School
2006 Ambulance #8
December 2006 – South Wales Fire Company has a new Ambulance #8
2/2005 House fire on Sweet Rd. in East Aurora
7/2005 Fire Fighter Training
2/2004 – SCBA Training
6/2004 House fire at Herb Evans on Warner Hill Rd.
2004-Herb Evans House Fire
2004 – Herb Evans house fire on Warner Hill Rd., total distroyed the house.
2003 Water Drill
4/2003 Car Fire Drill
2003 – Bach’s Fire in East Aurora
2001 Rescue Truck #7
2001 – South Wales Fire Company has a new Rescue Truck #7.
This truck is dedicated in memory of Clarence Heitman & Lynn O’Connor.
2000 Kowalski house fire
Kowalski house fire on Vermont Hill RD. – 12/5/2000
Car Fire Blakeley/Centerline
Car fire on BlaKeley Rd / Centerline Rd.
1998 Carpenter Inn fire
Carpenter Inn fire on the corner of Olean Rd. & Emery Rd. 3/19/98
1997 – Bob Bragg
1997 – Bob Bragg getting ready to deliver Christmas cheer baskets
1995 Truck #2
October 1995 – South Wales Fire Company has a new Fire Engine #2.
This was dedicated in memory of John Pierce.
1993 – Corner of Olean Rd. & Emery Rd.
1993 – Kipp’s
Kipp’s on Olean Rd. across from the South Wales Fire Company
1992 Ambulance #8
1992 – South Wales Fire Company has new International Ambulance #8
1992 Dodge Mini Pumper #4
1992 – South Wales Fire Company has a new Dodge Mini Pumper #4
Herb Evans
Herb Evans giving demonstration to St. Mary’s
School for the Deaf
Herb Evans
Herb Evans lived on Warner Hill Rd.
Gow School moving science lab
The Gow School moving the science lab building
SWFC Members
South Wales Volunteer Fire Members
SWFC Female Firefighter of the 1990’s
The South Wales Female Firefighter of the 1990’s
1989 MVA with a train
Car accident on Warner Hill with a train 1989
1986 #8 Ambulance
1986 – South Wales Fire Company has a new #8 Ford Ambulance.
1985 Fire Truck #2 (1962 Ford)
1985 – South Wales Fire Company has a fire truck #2. This fire truck
is a 1962 ford and it was completely refurbished by Sabra Custom.
1983 Tanker #5
September 1983 – South Wales Fire Company has a new Tanker Truck #5.
This truck holds 3000 gallons of water. This truck is called The Camel.
1978-1996 Scuba
1978 – 1996 South Wales Fire Company had a Scuba team
1978 Mini Pumper #4
October 1978 – South Wales Fire Company purchased a new Mini Pumper #4.
Nick name Mighty Mouse,
1977 Blizzard
1975 Perrin Farm Barn Fire
1975 Perrin Farm Barn Fire
1975 #7 Rescue Truck
September 1975 – South Wales Fire Company has a new #7 Rescue
Truck from Agway.
1972 – Aurora Motel
1972 – Aurora Motel on the corner of Olean Rd. & Emery Rd.
1972 Bath Tub Races
1972 – Bath Tub Races behind the Community Hall and the South Wales Fire Hall. These races were with the neighboring Fire Companies.
1972 Ambulance
1972 – South Wales Fire Company has a new Ford Ambulance.
John Russell Homestead
Corner Store
1968 – Corner of Olean Rd. & Emery Rd.
General Store
General Store on the corner of Olean Rd. & Emery Rd.
Corner Store
Taking the store apart that was on the Corner of Olean Rd. & Emery Rd.
1966 – RT 400 started
After several years of planning and a great deal of political debate about which path the new highway would
taker, construction of the Aurora Expressway (Route 400) from the NYS Thruway near Buffalo to South
Wales began in 1966. Original plans called for the highway to pass around the west side of the village of East
Aurora, but it ultimately ended up on the east side. A support beam is maneuvered around a tight corner at
Main and Olean Streets during construction. The Globe Hotel can be seen in the background.
Cranes are used to lift the beams into place on top of the bridge piers in 1969. The ribbon was
cut in September 1971. The expressway drastically cut the amount of time it took motorists to
get to Buffalo, and it quickly became a busy
commuter route.
1965 – Community Center
August 12, 1965
1965 Ambulance
November 1965 – South Wales Fire Company has a new Chevy Ambulance
1964 – SW marching in Parade in EA
1964 – South Wales marching in a parade in East Aurora
1964 Tanker Truck #5
March 1964 – South Wales Fire Company has a new Tanker Truck placed in service as
Truck #4, later changed to #5.
1963 – Scool District #8 on Emery Rd.
1963 SWFC 1st Female
South Wales Volunteer Fire Company first female firefighter Flossie Bragg & Helen Silliman
1963 1st Women Firefighter
1963 – Helen Silliman & Flossie Bragg
First Female Firefighters in Erie County
According to the April 9, 1962 issue of The Buffalo Evening News, Mrs. Florence Bragg and Mrs. Helen Siliman of the South Wales Fire Company were the first two women firefighters in Erie County.
1960’s – The Gow School, A Frame
1960’s – The Gow School – Temple Building
1960 Volkswagen Emergency Car
May 4, 1960- South Wales Fire Company has a Volkswagen Emergency Car.
1950’s – The Gow School, Ellis Building
1954 Chevy Equipment Truck
February 1971 – South Wales Fire Company has a 1954 Chevy Equipment
truck from Main & Transit for $150.00.
1953 – South Wales Presbyterian Church
1952 Foss Barn Fire
Foss Barn fire – 1952
1951 Fire Truck #1
October 1951, the South Wales Fire Company has a new John Bean fire truck #1. This was
rolled over and needed extensive collision work. It had a 1952 cab installed on it.
1950’s – The Gow School, Cornwell Building
Old Barn
Watch Tower from WWII
World War II Watch Tower located on the Perrin Farm
School District #8 on Emery Rd.
Rural District School #8 was a joint district of Wales and Aurora
School District #6 on Goodleburg
School District #6 on Goodleburg Rd.
1940’s – The Gow School Main Building
The Gow School Early Yrs.
1940 – The Gow School Main Building
1950 – The Gow School Cornwall Building
1950 – The Gow School Ellis Building
1950 – The Gow School – Admissions Building
The Gow School the early years
Emery park
Emery Park
1935 the emery family house
1935 – The Emery Family House
Judge Emery’s House
Judge Emery’s House
1934-Bridge on Emery Rd.
South Wales Drum Corps
South Wales Drum Corps
Flossie Bragg @ Bragg hotdog stand
Flossie Bragg in front of the Bragg hotdog stand at the South Wales Fair
South Wales Fair days
South Wales Fair Days
1929 – Parade Days
Fair Parade Days
Parade days
South Wales Mens Club at the parade
Frank Raiber’s car at the fair parade
Horse on Bridge
Horse on bridge
1928 – SWFC Fire Hall
1928 – South Wales Volunteer Fire Company fire hall
1928 Fire Truck
1928 – South Wales Fire Company has their first fire truck.
1927 – South Wales Baseball Team
South Wales baseball players pose for a team picture before a game in 1927. Baseball teams
became a source of community pride in the hamlets and villages of Aurora and surrounding
towns.
1925 – Community Center
1925 – Corner Store on Olean Rd. & Emery Rd.
1923 – The Gow School Summer Camp Cabin
1923 – The Gow School, summer camp cabin
Town of South Wales
1920’s Emery Park
Members of the Erie County Board of Supervisors and Park Commissioners meet outside the Emery Inn at
Emery Park in the late 1920’s to officially reopen the building after an extensive remodeling project. The Inn,
once part of the Emery pioneer homestead, was later used as a museum and restaurant.
1918 – South Wales Fair
1918 – South Wales Fair Days – South Wales Red Cross marching in the parade. The Fairs days ran from 1917-1966.
1916 – South Wales Community Hall
1916 – South Wales Community Hall
1914 brick road from EA to SW
1914 a brick road was built from East Aurora to South Wales
1920’s on one very hot summer day, the road buckled on Olean Rd. near Blakeley Corners Rd.
1913 – Wheat’s corner of Olean & Warner Hill
1913 – Wheat’s Store on the corner of Olean Rd. & Wartner Hill.
1907 – School District # 8 on Emery Rd.
1905 – School District #8 on Emery Rd,
1903 – Olean Rd & Emery Rd.
1903 – Four corner at Olean Rd. & Emery Rd.
1903 – Lower Emery Bridge
1901 – School District #1
1900’s Warner’s Store
Warner’s Store on Olean Rd. & Emery Rd. – early 1900’s
blacksmith – Johnny Allen
Working on horse shoes. At the turn of the century, the local blacksmith was the car repair technician of the day. Johnny Allen
who had the shop in the Town of South Wales, works on some horse shoeing.
1890 – Horse Shoeing Shop
South Wales horse shoeing shop in South Wales – 1890
Wagon Shop
James A. Allen wagon shop
1890 – South Wales horse shoeing shop
1870 – South Wales Train Depot
South Wales Train Depot – 1870
Bob Bragg’s drawing of the South Wales Train Depot
1841- South Wales Presbyterian Church
South Wales Presbyterian Church on Emery Rd.
Founded 1841
1828 – South Wales Cemetery
1828 – South Wales Cemetery on the corner of Olean Rd. & Warner Hill Rd.
1818 – Cornell & Son General Store
1818 – Cornell & Son General Store, now stands on the site is 7-eleven. The corner of Emery Rd. & Olean Rd.
Est. 1804 Adam’s Farm
Adam’s Farm on Olean Rd. Est. 1804
1800’s over looking the Emery Rd.
The residence and mills of L.C. Cormwall are shown here as they were in the mid 1800’s. Before 1850 and for
more than half a century, Lyman Cornwall operated a sawmill and gristmill on Emery Rd. in South Wales.
This later became the site of Gow School. Cornwall was Aurora’s town supervisor from 1876 to 1878.