Adrian Engine House No. 1 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Adrian Engine House No. 1
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 126 East Church Street Adrian, Michigan |
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| Built | 1855 |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival, Italianate |
| Part of | Downtown Adrian Commercial District |
| NRHP reference No. | 89000789 |
| Added to NRHP | August 21, 1989 |
The Adrian Engine House No. 1 is a really old and important fire station in downtown Adrian, Michigan. You can find it at 126 East Church Street. This building is so special that it was named a Michigan Historic Site and added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 21, 1989. It's part of the Downtown Adrian Commercial Historic District and right next to the Lenawee County Historical Museum.
How the Fire Station Started
The Adrian Fire Department began a long time ago, in 1841. It started with a group of people who volunteered their time to fight fires. By 1851, there were over 100 volunteers helping out.
In 1855, construction began on this very fire station. It was built to be the home for Engine Company #1. The building was ready and put into service early in 1856.
Changes Over the Years
In 1867, the city decided to have a full-time fire department. This meant they bought new steam-powered equipment and horses to pull it. The fire station needed changes to fit all this new gear, so stables were added.
More equipment arrived in 1877. A new section was built right next to the engine house to hold it.
Later, between 1912 and 1914, new motorized fire trucks were bought. These replaced the old horse-drawn equipment. In 1917, the two fire companies in the city moved into this one building. Concrete floors were added in 1932 to make it stronger.
The fire station was used by the city until 1987. This made it the oldest fire station in Michigan that was used all the time! After it closed, the inside of the building was changed into office spaces for shops. However, the outside still looks the same. Today, a company called Adrian Design Group uses the building.
What the Building Looks Like
The Adrian Engine House is mostly built from bricks. Some parts were added later and are made of wood. The building shows a mix of two old styles of architecture: Romanesque Revival and Italianate.
The most important part of the fire station is its tall tower. This tower is a landmark in the city. It was once used to hang and dry the long fire hoses after they were used. The tower is about 70 feet (21 meters) tall, making it one of the tallest buildings in Adrian.
The front of the building has a special roof shape called a gabled parapet. In the middle of the front, there's a wooden bell tower with a hip roof. On the second floor, you can see four windows that are shaped like arches. The big doors where the fire trucks used to go in and out are also made of arched bricks.
