Those who have a fondness for Lehighton history, specifically the Lehighton Fire Department, can get their fix as part of round three.

The Lehighton 150 Celebration Committee will hold The History of Lehighton, Part 3, at 8 p.m. Friday on the second floor of the Lehighton Fire Station on Third Street in Lehighton.Lehighton's Sesquicentennial will occur next year. The committee wants to raise $55,000 for an eight-day celebration to commemorate the 150 years of the borough. The festivities are scheduled for June 25-July 2.This week we'll again be publishing tidbits of Lehighton history, this time with regard to the Lehighton Fire Department, in conjunction with the celebration committee.TODAY'S FACTS:• Former Fire Chief John M. Beck was born in Lehighton in 1884. He worked for the Lehigh Valley Railroad and became an engineer at the age of 22. He joined Lehigh Fire Co. No. 1 in 1903 and became fire chief in 1910. He saw and encouraged the transition from horse-drawn fire engines to motorized firetrucks. Chief Beck served the fire department proudly as chief for over 30 years.• Engine Co. No. 2's steam fire engine used steam power to operate the pump. In the first service, these fire engines were simply called "steamers."Their steamer was capable of pumping 600 gallons of water per minute. It was purchased from Clapp & Jones, a division of the American Fire Engine Company, and arrived in the town during May 1904. It required a team of two horses to pull it.• On Oct. 11, 1904, James L. Blakslee of Engine Company No. 2 reported to council that 20 fire alarm boxes were constructed throughout the borough and connected to the town's electric power plant.