Item description for FIRE MARK UFICo: United Firemen's Insurance Company Nashville Plaque MARKER/SIGN

United Firemen's Insurance Company of Nashville

The Fire Plug (Hydrant) was used as the symbol for a couple of different insurers. One of them was the United Firemen's Insurance Company of Nashville which was incorated in 1852 by the officer's of four of Nashville's Volunteer Fire Companies. Their orignial fire mark was cast iron in construction with a concave center and raisrd hydrant and U.F.I.Co. lettering. It measured approximately 6.75" X 10.25". U.F.I.Co. ceased doing business in 1856. Up until several years ago, it was believed that the U.F.I.Co. stood for Union Fire. It was then confirmed that it was actually United Firemen's.

This mark is of heavy (almost 4.0 lbs.) cast iron construction and measures approximately 6.875" X 9.875". It is a thick 3D design, has a concave center, with raised red hydrant and raised U F I Co on a black background with white letters. It was cast by the well known Virginia Metalcrafters'. Paint has some limited chipping and rusting which adds to a nice vintage look and feel to the mark. This mark is the rarer 3D design which is not as frequently seen as the flat mark. This is a very nice item which would make an excellent addition for any collector of firefighting or insurance memorabilia.

American insurance company's fire marks were placed on the exterior of a house and were intended to discourage malicious arson by showing that the owner would not greatly suffer if the building were destroyed. Additionally, the mark stood as a guarantee to fire brigades that the insurance company which insured the house in question would reward handsomely the brigade extinguishing a blaze on the premises.