The Lost history of the Leesburg Volunteers

Directions Website Contact the organization

The Lost history of the Leesburg Volunteers Established in 1803, the Leesburg Volunteer Fire Company is one of the one hundred oldest still operational fire companies in America.

Explore the lost history of our Volunteers and the fire service in Loudoun County, Virginia.

St James Episcopal Church Fire, October 5, 1929 – 97 years AgoBeautiful Church Damaged by FireSt. James, Leesburg, Suffe...
10/04/2026

St James Episcopal Church Fire, October 5, 1929 – 97 years Ago

Beautiful Church Damaged by Fire
St. James, Leesburg, Suffers Heavy Loss
Firemen Conquer Flames in Hard Fight

The following account was found in the October 10, 1929, edition of the Loudoun Times Mirror –

Fire of undetermined origin, which started Saturday morning in the interior of St. James Episcopal Church, Leesburg, spread through a considerable part of the building causing a loss of many thousands of dollars, and for two hours, threatened destruction of the entire structure and its contents.

Discovery of the fire was made between 7:30 and 8 o’clock Saturday morning when smoke was seen pouring out around doors, windows and over the entire building wherever there was a crack or opening. In response to the prolonged wailing of the town’s fire siren, members of the Leesburg Fire Company with their two high pressure pumping engines soon had four streams of water playing on the devouring element, which, with many of the other citizens, they finally succeeded in subduing after more than two hours of strenuous effort.

The fire was a stubborn one because for a considerable time it’s location, between the ceiling and the roof, with the dense smoke throughout the building, made it inaccessible. After a time, however, with holes cut in the roof and also from below, the continuous streams from the hose began to tell and enable the firemen to bring the flames under control. Much credit is due the fire company for their splendid work, without which the entire interior would have been ruined.

From appearances it would seem that but little damage was done in the main part of the building in the main part near the front entrances the principal losses being toward the other end near the chancel and especially to the pipe organ, which is probably a total loss. This section of the building was nearly all burned out, from the great hole in the floor to the roof through which the flames blazed many times until subdued. While no authoritative figures are available as to the extent of the loss, it has been variously estimated from $25,000 to $40,000, at least partially covered by insurance.

Fortunately, an ancient Bible, a number of valuable records and a number of highly prized articles which could not have been replaced were saved.

This fine edifice had long been known as one of the handsome church buildings in Northern Virginia. Its beautiful massive walls were constructed of stone quarried nearby, which together with brownstone trimmings and high-pitched slate roof made of the whole an edifice of distinctive architectural beauty.

St. James is one of the strong small town church organizations ion the Diocese of Virginia, it’s communicants numbering about 300. The Rev. G. Peyton Craighill has been the Rector since 1919. Vestrymen are Ozcar S Braden, W W Chamblin, Davis A Dibrell, A L B diZerga, Thomas M Fendall, Jonathan A Gibson, J R Lintner, Talbot E. Pierce, H B Rust and Frank Saunders.

While naturally distressed by their great loss, communicants and friends of the Church have turned their faces resolutely to the future, with a view to restoring the building without delay, several committees have already begun considering ways and means to that end. In the meantime, Divine Services are being held in the Leesburg High School Auditorium.

Transcribed from the October 10, 1929, edition of the Loudoun Times Mirror, Page 1, Balch Historical Library, Leesburg Virginia

Fore more information about the church, please visit
https://www.stjamesleesburg.org/parish-history
https://www.facebook.com/stjamesleesburg

LVFC Open House, Saturday, October 3rdCome spend the afternoon with the Leesburg Volunteer Fire Company! We’ll be openin...
10/03/2026

LVFC Open House, Saturday, October 3rd

Come spend the afternoon with the Leesburg Volunteer Fire Company! We’ll be opening our doors from 11:00 AM–2:00 PM for a day of activities for the whole family.

Tour the station, see the fire trucks up close, meet our volunteer firefighters, watch fire safety demonstrations, enjoy games, food and drinks, and learn how you can become part of LVFC.

📅 Saturday, October 3rd
⏰ 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
📍 Station 20 | 61 Plaza Street, Leesburg, VA

🚗 Please note: Do not park at Station 20 or the Police Station. Please use the shopping center adjacent to the station to help keep emergency access clear.

We look forward to seeing everyone there!

The History of the Leesburg AirportLeesburg Airshow this Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026The first Leesburg airport was a cow pa...
09/24/2026

The History of the Leesburg Airport

Leesburg Airshow this Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026
The first Leesburg airport was a cow pasture near Plaza Street
The Leesburg Volunteer Fire Co. sponsored one of the earliest air shows in 1938

The original Leesburg Airport was established by chance in 1918, when a lost pilot landed his plane in a grassy field on the Wallace George farm. The rare sight of an aircraft in those early days would have certainly attracted a crowd. After that, Mr. George maintained a mowed grass strip which served as the runway, on his field along the south side of Edwards Ferry Road, between Queen Street and Heritage Way. (1)

Enthusiasm for aviation was high and during the 1920’s and 30’s, many barnstormers sold rides and performed there, the highlight being the parachute jump. (2)

In those early years, it was often referred to as the “Cow Pasture Airport”. In December 1929, the Aeronautics Branch identified Leesburg as having an auxiliary field and the airstrip became known as the Leesburg Airfield. (3)

It is in 1938, that we find the Leesburg Volunteer Fire Company’s first known involvement with the airport. That May, Leesburg’s Postmaster Mr. William Whitmore invited the Fire Company to take part in the National Air Mail Week celebration by sponsoring an air show at George Field. The Company voted to sponsor the airshow and made $9.65 from the air plane rides. (4) They probably would have made more money if the weather was better – it rained most of the day.

Also in 1938, Mr. Wallace George passed away. Four years later, the federal government leased 15 acres from the George family, most likely to develop an emergency landing field. The farm was purchased by investors in 1944, with the intention to develop a true airport, and a hanger was constructed.

Local residents opposed the Airport project and the property was sold several more times until 1950, when TV and radio celebrity Arthur Godfrey purchased it and began flying in and out with his own DC-3. The airports nickname was incorporated into his act when he often joked about landing in a “cow pasture.”

As the Town grew, the airfield became a nuisance. Early on, Godfrey had donated the property to the Town with conditions. In 1962, the Town received permission to sell the property as long as they used the funds to build a bigger airport south of town, which was completed a year later. (5) In 1974, half of the old airstrip was covered with a new apartment complex located at 75 Plaza Street.

Since its dedication on October 10, 1964, the Leesburg Executive Airport at Godfrey Field, has become one of the busiest general aviation airports in Virginia, averaging over 10,000 operations per month. Since its construction, the Leesburg Volunteer Fire Company has been responsible for providing emergency services to the field for such incidents as aircraft crashes, fires, emergency standbys and fuel spills. For over 40 years, the Leesburg volunteers have proudly participated the annual airshows to provide FAA mandated crash fire rescue service for the aerobatic performers. Come join us Saturday, September 27 for the 2025, Leesburg Airshow!

For more information - https://www.leesburgva.gov/departments/parks-recreation/events/leesburg-airshow
1. A very detailed history of the Leesburg Airport by Theresa L. Kraus, FAA Historianhttps://www.faa.gov/about/history/pioneers/media/Cow_Pasture_to_Executive_Airport.pdf
2. An amazing database of over 2000 small airports around the country http://www.airfields-freeman.com/VA/Airfields_VA_Loudoun.htm
3. A very detailed history of the Leesburg Airport by Theresa L. Kraus, FAA Historianhttps://www.faa.gov/about/history/pioneers/media/Cow_Pasture_to_Executive_Airport.pdf
4. LVFC Meeting Minutes
5. An amazing database of over 2000 small airports around the country http://www.airfields-freeman.com/VA/Airfields_VA_Loudoun.htm

Hanger Fire 17, Sept 2004Toto, We're Not in Leesburg Anymore!(September 17, 2004) For the second year in a row, mid-Sept...
09/15/2026

Hanger Fire 17, Sept 2004

Toto, We're Not in Leesburg Anymore!
(September 17, 2004)

For the second year in a row, mid-September brought bizarre weather to the Leesburg area. Last year, it was the destructive hurricane Isabel. This year, it was the remains of Ivan, a huge hurricane that pummeled Alabama and Florida, then moved up to Virginia to wreak havoc. Once again, the volunteers from Company 1 were ready for the challenge.

With severe thunderstorms moving up from the South, members of the Leesburg Volunteer Fire Company began to gather at Station 1 and Station 20 at around 5:00 p.m. on Friday. Our career staff would be on duty until 6:00 p.m., but we knew there would be a need for additional personnel. By 5:30, two engines were staffed by volunteer crews at Station 1, while two engines and the truck were staffed at Station 20 by a combination of career and volunteer personnel.

At 5:46 p.m., our intuition proved correct. Strong storms, with several confirmed tornadoes, had hit Hamilton, and Co. 5 was overwhelmed with calls. Two engines from Co. 1 (Wagon 1 and Engine 1) were dispatched to calls off Harmony Church Road (Rt. 704). Trees littered roadways and traffic was snarled throughout the area. Using chainsaws, Co. 1 crews did the best they could to clear roads. Some trees, however, were far too big to be handled by fire crews and would require heavy equipment from the Virginia Dept. of Transportation.

While these two Co. 1 units were still in Co. 5's first due, a box alarm was struck for a structure fire at 991 Sycolin Road, Leesburg Airport. The first call came in at 6:23 p.m. and units were dispatched at 6:26. With its proximity to the Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Training and Communications Center, it was no surprise that several LCFR officers were in the area. It was quickly determined that this was a working fire. LCFR Deputy Chief Brandenburg established the initial command and quickly requested a second alarm. Smoke was pushing from the entire length of a 500' x 50' airplane hangar, so it looked like a lot of help would be needed.

Tanker 1, Truck 1, and Rescue Engine 1 arrived almost simultaneously and went to work immediately. Tanker 1's crew, led by Lt. Chris Krueger, worked to determine how far the fire had spread from the point of origin at the A-D corner. They quickly began an aggressive attack via a door on side A. The BlitzFire portable master stream put a knock on the fire very quickly. With the structural stability of Side A in question, a hole was cut in side D of the building and the attack crew repositioned.

LCFR Battalion Chief Cullers had Division A, while Company 1's Deputy Chief Marty Mantell had Division C. D/C Brandenburg and Co. 1's Assistant Chief Paul Earley worked together at the Command Post as the overall incident command.

No injuries occurred and all units were clear of the scene by 9:08 p.m. The cause is still under investigation, though it is possible lightning was involved.

Units on the call:
Tanker 1, Rescue Engine 1, Truck 1, Engine 1, Command 1, Foam Unit/Utility 1, Canteen 1, Tower 2, Engine 2, Brush 2, Wagon 5, Rescue Engine 6, Wagon 7, Rescue Engine 10, Wagon 10, Tower 11, Rescue Squad 13, Quint 18, Engine 425, Foam Unit 336, Ambulance 13-1, Ambulance 13-4, Ambulance 6-1.

Fills:
Truck 425 @ Station 20
Wagon 8 @ Station 1

Written entirely by LVFC Webmaster and former Fire Chief, Ian Buchanan for our archived website

All photos courtesy of Charles Speacht, Photo 1.

September 11, 2001 - NEVER FORGETHard to believe it’s been a quarter of a century since that tragic day. We still rememb...
09/10/2026

September 11, 2001 - NEVER FORGET

Hard to believe it’s been a quarter of a century since that tragic day. We still remember where we were and what we were doing when we learned of the attacks on the twin towers, the destruction at the Pentagon and the crash in Shanksville Pa. We also remember the fear of not knowing what was coming next, that sick, helpless feeling in the gut as the towers fell, and the hopelessness of those families missing loved ones. What we will never forget is the courage and tremendous sacrifice of the first responders at the towers and Pentagon, the bravery of the passengers on flight 93 and the steadfast resolve of our nation to meet this challenge.

Members of the Leesburg Volunteer Fire Company responded to the Pentagon, stood by in stations around the DC area and staffed extra units in town. This year marks the 24th anniversary of a tragedy that we; and so many others, experienced first-hand.

The Second Tragedy
In the years since the attacks, disease, cancer and health complications from the World Trade Center fire and collapse have killed more first responders than the incident itself. Their names have been added to the Honor Roll of those who died that day trying to save others.

Link to an interview on the 20th anniversary of 911 with former LVFC and Fairfax County Fire Dept. member and current Durham N.C. Fire Chief Bob Zoldos. As a member of VA-TF1/U.S.A. SAR-1, he responded to the Pentagon on 9/11. Chief Zoldos is also the son of past LVFC Fire Chief Bob Zoldos.
https://www.wral.com/durham-fire-chief-remembers-being-first-responder-at-pentagon-on-9-11/19282269/

Address

61 Plaza St
Leesburg, VA
20176

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Lost history of the Leesburg Volunteers posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to The Lost history of the Leesburg Volunteers:

Shortcuts

Share

Category