Everyone loves a good story, and much of themodern literature on American fire marks—lead or copper signs thatduring the 18th through early 20th centuries were affixed to theexterior of buildings and embossed with the logo of the owner'sinsurance carrier, with the purpose of letting fire brigades knowwho the insurer was—contains one or more of the followinginaccuracies to enliven the story:

•  The local volunteer fire company would notfight a fire unless there was a fire mark on the burningbuilding. 

• The volunteer fire company received a reward fromthe insurance company whose fire mark was on the burningbuilding.

• The use of fire marks diminished because of theinstitution of paid municipal fire departments.

In reality, these points are more fiction than fact—more hypethan history. So what are the facts? 

NO FIRE MARK, NO FIREFIGHTINGCOMPANY?

The misconception that volunteer fire companies put out firesonly on buildings that displayed a fire mark arises from the factthat some histories of fire marks do not make the distinctionbetween British and American ones. 

In England, fire-insurance companies employed their own firebrigades, which only fought fires on properties identified by theiremployers' fire mark or badge. In America, volunteer fire companiesexisted before the first fire-insurance company was organized; theyfought fires whether or not a building displayed a firemark. 

There are no primary sources that indicate volunteer firecompanies would not fight a fire unless the property was insuredand had a fire mark. The reality is that volunteer fire companieswere prominent social organizations and membership was an honor.Having made their case for funding by proclaiming their work in thepublic interest, it seems unlikely they would disregard any fire.Had this occurred, the hue and cry of the insurance industry andthe public would certainly have been noted.

So what was the purpose of fire marks in America? Fire marks mayhave deterred would-be arsonists, since the property owner wouldnot suffer the loss himself. Also, a fire mark may have been theonly evidence of insurance, after the insurance policy itselfburned in the fire.

In any case, these fire-insurance artifacts remain true works ofart from a bygone era—and can sell for hundreds of dollars each atauction.  

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