The history of the Rouss Fire Company of Winchester actually involves the history of three seperate companies. First was the Union Fire Company, which later became the Charley Rouss Fire Company; the Rouss Hook and Ladder Company; and finally the Charley Rouss Fire Company, Inc. which was the combined organization of these two former groups. In a separate article we will deal at length with the history of the Rouss Hook and Ladder Company and in this article we propose to concern ourselves mainly with the old Union Fire Company and the present Charley Rouss Fire Company, which evolved from it.

   The exact date of the organization of the Union Fire Company is unknown, but it has been definitely established that the company existed prior to May 20, 1789, for it was on that date that a notice appeared in the local newspaper, THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE or THE WINCHESTER ADVERTISER as follows: "The members of the Union Fire Company are notified that their meeting stands adjourned to the last Saturday in the present month, then to assemble at the Market House". It therefore appears beyond reasonable doubt that the Union Fire Company was the first fire company in Winchester and vicinity. This fact has since been recorded in the Common Law Books of the Corporation Court of the City of Winchester thus adding legal significance to the fact that this company was organized prior to May 20, 1789.

   There are no records, however, of the early days of the Union Fire Company. We do know however that the engine house was located on the public square in Winchester. After a prolonged controversy between the Common Council and the County Court relative to their respective rights in the Public Square, a resolution was adopted by the City Council on October 28, 1848 appointing a committe to look out for sites for the engine houses. With the action taken by the City Council on December 7, 1848, the fire departments were completely divorced from the Public Square. The site chosen for the Union Fire Copmany was on the North side of Water Street between Indian Alley and Braddock Street. It was purchased by the City from the trustees of the Lutheran Church by deed of date December 6, 1848 (deed book 9, page 201 of the Corporation Court). This site is where the Lutheran Church Sunday School now stands.

   At a meeting held January 23, 1858 in the Town Hall, Mr. Henry Kinzel announced that all the books and papers of the Company had been destroyed by fire. This fact is recorded in the minutes of the company, and it can justifiably be assumed that along with this destruction of books and records were the minutes of the meetings.