The Hy-Mar Fire Company was established in 1946 when Clarence “Cy” Hyde gave Webster its first fire engine. The Company’s name was derived from “Cy’s” name and that of his wife, Mary.
The original fire station was on lake Winnepocket, followed by the Hy-Mar building around 1960. This building, now an office space and storage area for the Society, is located on Battle Street across from The Old Meeting House.
In March 1979, the Town voted to sell the 1947 fire truck to the Society for $1, and the Society continued to house the vehicle in the Horse Shed extension.
The Society acquired the Hy-Mar building itself in 2003 when the Town of Webster built its new Public Safety Building, and later moved the 1947 fire truck home to Hy-Mar.
1945 Annual Reports of the Town of Webster, page 5
“8. To see if the town will vote to accept a Fire Truck as a gift from Clarence E. Hyde.
- To raise and appropriate the amount necessary to purchase land and erect and maintain a suitable building to house the fire equipment.
- To raise and appropriate the sum necessary to organize and support a fire company.”
1946 Annual Reports of the Town of Webster, page 5
“9. To raise and appropriate such sums as may be necessary to complete the construction of the Hy-Mar Fire House and provide for the maintenance of same.
- To raise and appropriate the sum necessary to support the Hy-Mar Fire Company.”
1947 Annual Reports of the Town of Webster, page 6
“8. To raise and appropriate such sums as may be necessary to complete the construction of the Hy-Mar Fire House.
- To raise and appropriate the sum necessary to support the Hy-Mar Fire Department.”
Check out this link about Clarence and Mary Hyde’s generosity elsewhere – probably in Massachusetts.