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LEWISTOWN -- The Henderson Fire Co. No. 1 in Lewistown might be gone, but it's certainly not forgotten by Robert Corkins.
The Lewistown man was not a firefighter with the Henderson, but his father, Garth, was a member for decades. Corkins' uncle, grandfather and great great grandfather were also members.
His great great grandfather, Lewis R. Peck, was a former chief.
Founded on Dec. 19, 1853, this year marks the 170th anniversary of the Henderson, whose firehouse was located at 26 W. Third St., Lewistown. Although the Henderson is gone - as it merged with the Fame Fire Co. in 1994 - Corkins and others would like to resurrect it in spirit.
A reunion is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at the Juniata Terrace Community Building, 80 Hudson Ave., Lewistown.
"It would be nice to rekindle things," Corkins said. "Get the living members together one last time. We want to get most of them together before something would happen."
Food will be provided by the Corkins family. Organizers are encouraged to bring anything they have from the Henderson to put on display at the reunion.
In August, Henderson set up a historical display at the Fame Fire Co. Museum, located at 108 Valley St. It included a jacket, helmet, ax and portable radio, donated by former Henderson Capt. Sam Alexander.
Organizers also have set up a Facebook page, which already has many historical posts, with photos from a 2013 reunion and information about previous members including Peck.
Born in 1859, Peck was the oldest living active firefighter from the Henderson, at the time of his death. Peck, who farmed the land that is now the Mifflin County Library parking lot, died in 1948.
Henderson officials are trying to track down old equipment including a 1910 American LaFrance hook and ladder cart, 1952 International Darley pumper and a1978 International pumper that was eventually sold to Nippenose Valley Volunteer Fire Co. in Jersey Shore, Pa.
The Mifflin County Historical Society has made several posts on the Henderson's Facebook page, sharing historical tidbits.
Family and friends of former members also shared memories and information. Some might not know that Henderson was originally housed in the old St. John's Lutheran Church building on Third Street in Lewistown.
"Following this feed brings back a lot of memories from when I was a kid," Deana Harpster, of Lewistown, said. "My dad, Larry Richard, served Henderson from 1964 until the early 1980s. I remember ... times I spent running around the firehouse. My dad unfortunately passed away suddenly in 2008. My grandfather, Abe Richard; my uncle, Steve Richard; and great uncle, Bob Clark, also served the Henderson as well."
Now retired, former member Harry Deavor, of Lewistown, called the Henderson firehouse his "first home when I became a firefighter." He has special memories of working at the Speed Palace in Port Royal.
"I remember riding the squad to the Port Royal Speedway when the Henderson parked at squad in the infield," Deavor recalled. "Whenever there was a crash, we would respond on the track to give our assistance."
In 1984, members voted on having the old building demolished and a new building constructed in its place. When the old building was torn down in 1986, members saved a piece of it and placed it in the new building.
Local fire officials said the way Henderson got its name was special to those who ran with the company. "Henderson was formed and named in honor of Doc Joe Henderson," one official recalled. Henderson was one of the founding members of the company.
Corkins isn't sure what is now in the old firehouse. He is looking into making it a museum, a tribute to the former fire company.
For more information, email hendersonfireco1@gmail.com or find them on Facebook.