Arlington’s oldest fire fighting company, the owns and occupies the oldest firehouseCherrydale Volunteer Fire Department (CVFD), in Arlington, and has been an important part of the community for over 117 years.

This book on the history of the Cherrydale Volunteer Fire Department provides a decade by decade accounting of community events, equipment purchases and fires. Started in 1898 as a bucket brigade, the CVFD owns and operates several pieces of modern fire equipment and actively supports the Arlington County Fire Department. Many of the early leaders of the CVFD were also important leaders in Arlington’s civic and business community.

For well over 117 years, the men and women of the Cherrydale Volunteer Fire Department have served their community in many ways; from fighting fires and saving lives, raising funds for the Library and schools, taking care of the poorer residents of the community, to sponsoring Christmas parties, parades, bingo, dances, and Minstrel shows, the volunteers have always been ready to do what was necessary to make our community a better, safer place to live.

Published by the CVFD, the history was written by lifelong Cherrydale resident Kathryn Holt Springston, who has authored several books and numerous articles on local history, and is an honorary member of the Cherrydale Volunteer Fire Department. At over 300 pages, the book is comprehensive and includes over 240 illustrations, including photos, letters, and maps.

The book is available on Amazon in paperback ($60) and for Kindle ($30).