Brooklyn No. 4 Fire House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Brooklyn No. 4 Fire House
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Brooklyn No. 4 Fire House
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| Location | 17 W. Sixth Ave., Oshkosh, Wisconsin |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1868 |
| Architect | William Waters |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 95001505 |
| Added to NRHP | January 11, 1996 |
The Brooklyn No. 4 Fire House is a historic building located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It once served as an important fire station for the city. Today, it stands as a reminder of how firefighting has changed over the years.
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Discovering the Brooklyn No. 4 Fire House
The Brooklyn No. 4 Fire House is a special building in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It was built a long time ago, in 1868. This building is famous for its unique Italianate style of architecture. It has been recognized as a historic place, showing its importance to the community.
A Look Back: Its History
The idea for the Brooklyn No. 4 Fire House came after some big fires hit Oshkosh. Major fires in 1859 and 1866 caused a lot of damage. People realized they needed better ways to fight fires and protect their city. So, they decided to build new, strong fire stations.
The famous architect William Waters designed this fire house. He was known for creating many beautiful buildings in Wisconsin. The fire house was ready in 1868, helping to keep Oshkosh safe.
From Volunteers to Professionals
When the Brooklyn No. 4 Fire House first opened, firefighting was very different. Many firefighters were volunteers who helped out when there was an emergency. Over time, firefighting became a full-time job, with trained professionals. This fire house saw that big change happen.
It also saw how fire equipment evolved. In the early days, firefighters used mobile pumps. These were like big wagons that could pump water onto fires. Later, they used hose wagons, which carried long hoses to spray water.
Horses to Motorized Trucks
Another huge change at Fire House No. 4 was how fire engines moved. At first, strong horses pulled the fire wagons quickly to emergencies. Imagine the sound of hooves galloping down the street! But as technology improved, motorized trucks took over. These powerful engines could get to fires even faster.
The Brooklyn No. 4 Fire House served the community for many years. It finally closed its doors as a fire station in 1946.
Becoming a Historic Landmark
After it stopped being a fire station, the building was used for other things, like a sign company. But its history was not forgotten. In 1995, the Brooklyn No. 4 Fire House was added to the State Register of Historic Places. This meant it was recognized as an important building in Wisconsin's history.
The next year, in 1996, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of places across the entire United States that are important for their history, architecture, or culture. Being on this list helps protect the building and reminds everyone of its past.
