Arnold's Community History Tied to Volunteer Fire Department

History buffs were treated to a lecture about the beginning of the Arnold Community Center of yore at Monday night's meeting, held at the Arnold Volunteer Fire Department.

The council's Monday meeting was the first presided over by its new president, , who assumed her duties in January from  

Monday's meeting was also the first time the council has met in the , once known as the Arnold Community Center. The council has no set location for its meetings, and so it travels between a few different buildings in Arnold for each monthly meeting. 

"We don't have a home right now, but we want to expose as many places within Arnold as we can," Rosborg said.

Tom Best, the president of the Arnold Volunteer Fire Department, told the crowd the building on Ritchie Highway was first built in 1928 as the Arnold Community Center.

Some council members said they remembered when the building was used for community events such as plays, bull roasts, and other activities among residents.

In 1943, the volunteer fire department was established and they purchased the building for their use. Arnold has not had a community center since then.

Rosborg handed Best a check for $100 for the volunteer fire department. Best thanked her, and reminded the others that donations are what keeps them open.

"That's how we live," Best said.

Rosborg added that she believes it is important for the Arnold community to support its local fire department.

"Last year alone they responded to over 1,500 calls, and we are extremely grateful for their dedication to our citizens," she said.

The Arnold Volunteer Fire Department is a combined station, with Anne Arundel County firefighters and volunteer firefighters working in the same building. The county employs a paramedic unit and their own fire engine with crew. They're stationed at the building every hour of the week, Best said.

There is also a volunteer crew of 16 firefighters that operate their own fire engine, paid for by donations.

"It's a lot to not get paid for. You do it out of love of your community, and just the fact that you want to help," Best said.

At the end of the council's meeting, Rosborg announced they will host a cleanup of the Baltimore and Annapolis Trail at 10 a.m. April 28. More details will follow in the coming weeks, she said.