Need Some Help

[DelawareDetecting]

Found this over the weekend on a Delaware beach. Does anybody know any history on this Fire company? I googled Southside Fire Company and it did not appear to be in Delaware.

Thanks in advance, Keith

 

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[idahotokens]

The late Herman Aqua lists this in his Pennsylvania Merchant Tokens book as being from Riverside, PA. He shows both a 5¢ and this 10¢ denominations. www.southsidefirecompany.com.
John in ID

 

[DelawareDetecting]

Thanks John, that was quick. Would you have any other info like possible a time frame this would be from and any idea how this may have ended up four and half hours away? What it would be used for in a Fire house?(Trading for what?) Sorry so many questions this is my first Token and I find it intriguing.

Thanks, Keith

 

[idahotokens]

I really don't have any more info on it, but I do know that there were a lot of fire companies in PA that had (or maybe still have) tokens. I suspect that they operated some sort of a tavern or card room in the fire house and the tokens may have been used in place of money there so they wouldn't run afoul of gambling laws. My guess is that they were used after WWII. Tokens are quite often carried out of their area of origin - it would be nice if they could tell us how and why, but...

John in ID

 

[DelawareDetecting]

John,
Thanks for the info. much appreciated.
Take care and HH, Keith