Honoring the Earl D. Pugh, Jr. Family
After years of contemplating building a new substation in Hyde County, the Swan Quarter Volunteer Fired Department's Lake Comfort Substation Project officially got started in late 2019. One of our first concerns was finding a suitable location for the new station and we immediately started scouting out possibilities.
Eventually, we began talks with Earl Pugh, Jr. about a central Hyde County site that he owned in the Lake Comfort Community. After talking it over with his family, Earl made the offer to donate the property if the Swan Quarter VFD was successful in obtaining appropriate funding to build a substation. In February 2021, the property was deeded to the Swan Quarter VFD.
Groundbreaking for the new station was held on July 17, 2021.
Construction began on January 11, 2022.
On September 23, 2022 the dedication, ribbon cutting and open house was held. A bronze plaque has been installed inside the station that dedicates the Lake Comfort Substation to the Earl D. Pugh, Jr. family.
The Certificate of Occupancy for the Lake Comfort Substation was issued on November 22, 2022.
Our sincere appreciation goes to Earl and his family for making all of this possible. Their love of Hyde County and its people will forever be remembered.
Earl Pugh, Jr. on the right, stands with Chief Stotesberry during the groundbreaking ceremonies for Lake Comfort Substation on July 17, 2021.
Members of the Swan Quarter VFD stand will Earl Pugh, Jr. during the groundbreaking ceremonies for Lake Comfort Substation on July 17, 2021.
Earl Pugh, Jr. (third from right) and his wife Dianne (fourth from right during the groundbreaking ceremonies for Lake Comfort Substation on July 17, 2021.
Groundbreaking ceremonies for Lake Comfort Substation on July 17, 2021.
Groundbreaking ceremonies for Lake Comfort Substation on July 17, 2021.
Banner declaring the property at 149 NC 94, Swan Quarter as the future home of the Lake Comfort Substation.
Earl Pugh, Jr. speaks during the 50th Anniversary and Open House celebration for the Swan Quarter VFD on July 17, 2021.
Earl Pugh Family in the background as Tynia Harris sings the National Anthem during the dedication, ribbon cutting, and open house on September 24, 2022.
The Earl Family Pugh during the dedication, ribbon cutting, and open house on September 24, 2022.
Chief Stotesberry presents the Earl D. Pugh Family with a framed photo of the actual dedication plaque during the dedication, ribbon cutting, and open house on September 24, 2022.
Earl D. Pugh, Jr. speaking after the presentation during the dedication, ribbon cutting, and open house on September 24, 2022.
The Earl D. Pugh Jr. Family as they entered the Lake Comfort Station to view the actual bronze plaque on the wall.