The New Milford Savings Bank was organized in 1858. Eli Mygatt was president, Silas Erwin vice-president, and John S. Turrill secretary and treasurer. Mr. Turrill was succeeded by Charles Randall, who was succeeded, in turn, by his son, H. LeRoy Randall, the present incumbent. The present officers are: Turney Soule, president; Seymour S. Green, vice-president; H. LeRoy Randall, treasurer; Edwin J. Emmons, assistant treasurer. When Dr. James Hine was president, a fine building for the bank was built on Bank Street, which was destroyed in the great fire. On completion of the new United Bank Building, the bank was installed there.
The Agricultural Society of New Milford was formed in 1858, and, since that time, has held fairs and cattle shows each year—with a few exceptions. It now occupies a fine site at Conetia Park.
The New Milford Water Company was chartered in 1873, and organized with a board of directors. Charles H. Booth was chosen president, Charles H. Noble, secretary and treasurer, and Henry O. Warner, superintendent. A reservoir was located on the hill about one mile and a quarter northeast of the village, near the source of Cross Brook, which is fed by springs of pure water. Three other reservoirs have since been built of such capacity that the supply of water is ample for the public and private uses of the village. The present officers of the company are: Albert H. McMahon, president; Verton P. Staub, superintendent; and Harry S. Sanford, secretary and treasurer.
The first fire company, organized in 1830, was disbanded in 1863, and succeeded by the Water Witch Engine Company No. 2. This company was succeeded, in its turn, in 1876, by the Water Witch Hose Company, No. 2, which now occupies a commodious building on Church Street.
New Milford has had several ruinous fires in its history. A fire swept through Bank Street in 1860, and another, a few years later; but the most destructive conflagration occurred on May 5, 1902, when the village was startled by the ringing of bells, the tooting of steam whistles, and the cry of “Fire!” Smoke and flames were seen issuing from the stables back of the New Milford House. The hose company hastening to the scene put forth great efforts, and for a time seemed to have obtained control; but the flames spread in all directions, to the alarm of the inhabitants, who were removing their goods to supposed places of security. The solid block on Bank Street was soon in flames. Then, in spite of the strenuous exertions of the firemen, the fire leaped across the street to the north side and ignited the roofs of brick buildings where merchandise had been placed for safety. The neighboring city of Danbury sent a gallant band of firemen with one of their best engines, with which they labored with great zeal to subdue the flames. With the aid of our own brave boys, this was finally accomplished, but not until the whole block and both sides of Bank Street were smoking ruins. Three hotels, two bank buildings, the Post Office building, and the largest mercantile establishments in the town, with their contents, were destroyed. The only building in the whole square that was saved intact was the fine mansion on the southeast corner of Main and Bridge streets, the residence of State Bank Commissioner Charles H. Noble and his brother, Town Clerk Russell B. Noble—worthy descendants of the pioneer settler of the town.
Did the brave merchants and men of affairs, who could do nothing while they saw their property go up in smoke, sit down in despair? Not they! They cleared away the rubbish before it was cold. They worked with a will to bring order out of chaos. They erected on “The Green” cheap wooden buildings, in which they gathered the remnants of their goods; and
