The object of the fire company water battles back in the 1930's was to fill your opponents boat, and send it to the bottom before they did the same to yours.

            With the news of the fire company "water battles" returning to the Upper Perkiomen Valley Fourth of July Picnic this year, it brings to mind a time before television and video games, when entertainment in small towns was a community event.

            The following is taken from a book this writer authored back in 1999 to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the incorporation of the Pennsburg Fire Company; "To Take Charge and Organize … a History of the Pennsburg Fire Company."

            The economic condition of the country during the 1930's encouraged development of many fine ways to provide affordable entertainment to the local residents.  The social rooms of the local firehouses became the social 'hub' of the community.  Other local facilities provided the opportunity to extend activities outdoors.

In 1939 the volunteers of the Pennsburg Fire Company completed an undefeated 10-0 season of water battles to win the championship of the Montgomery County Firemen's Water Battle League.  In the photo are, kneeling, left to right, David James, Charles Kulp, Oscar Guldin, Charles Knause and Raymond Mensch.  Standing, left to right, Paul Campbell (president of the league), Paul Transue, Jack Benner, Clarence Mensch, Eugene Knause, and Elias B. Mensch.  Members missing from the photo are Millard Balmer and Edwin Knause.

            One period example is the popular water battles held at the Shady Nook Resort.  Back then, the resort included a tavern and a half dozen cottages.  The tavern contained a dance hall that was a favorite of the local residents. 

            The water battles were so popular that the Montgomery County Water Battle League was formed.  Fire companies from Pennsburg, Conshohocken, Pottstown, Norristown, and Stowe made up the league.  Records show that in 1930, the Pennsburg Fire Company had given Charles Haring full charge of making boats for the water battles.

            Shady Nook was located on Quakertown Road, just east of Pennsburg.  The Macoby Creek flowed into a lake on the property.  The lake was the site of many spirited contests between local fire departments.  Teams of three firemen would man anchored boats.  Each team consisted of a nozzle man, balance man, and anchor man.  The nozzle man sat at the bow and was responsible for directing the water stream at the opponents.  The balance man sat at mid-ship, and was responsible for keeping the boat on an even keel.  The anchor man sat at the stern and directed the nozzle man towards openings in the opponents defense.

            At the shrill blast from a whistle of a fire policeman, a fire company engineer would take water from the lake, through the pump of the fire truck, and into high pressure hose lines running into each boat.

            Thousands of people would line the banks of the Shady Nook Lake to cheer their favorites.  At times, banquets would honor the victorious team.  The sport vanished during the World War II period, later to be replaced by the 'rocket' battles of today.  The lake fell victim to time and the elements to become a swamp and brush area.

            Today, firefighters no longer try to sink each other's boats but instead aim their streams of water at a "rocket" in an attempt to push it onto their opponents side of a center-marking.

The pond near the Shady Nook Dine and Dance restaurant and tavern was the popular site of the local fire company water battles.  The pond has since evolved to a patch of swamp and brush with Route 663 slicing through it.

            The event is still fun to watch and firefighters still get wet – winners usually more sore as a somewhat traditional dive into the muddy pond, resulting from the water battles, has become a staple.