Central Fire Station (Muskegon, Michigan) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Central Fire Station
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 75 W. Walton Ave., Muskegon, Michigan |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1930 |
| Architect | Leo J. Heenan, VanderWest and Child |
| Architectural style | Art Deco |
| NRHP reference No. | 99000341 |
| Added to NRHP | March 18, 1999 |
The Muskegon Central Fire Station is a cool old building in Muskegon, Michigan. It used to be a busy fire station, but now it's been updated into offices. This building is so special that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. Today, it's known as the Firehouse Professional Building.
A Look Back: The Fire Station's Story
For almost 50 years, Muskegon's main fire station was inside the City Hall. But in 1929, the city decided it needed a brand new, modern fire station.
They hired a talented architect named Leo J. Heenan from Pontiac, Michigan. A local company, VanderWest and Child, also helped with the design. The building was constructed quickly in 1929 and 1930. It officially opened its doors on October 9, 1930.
This fire station served the city for a long time. It was used by firefighters until 2007. That's when the city built a new, more modern fire station. In 2012, the old building was sold to a developer. They worked to change the fire station into the office space you see today.
What Does the Building Look Like?
The Muskegon Central Fire Station is a two-story building. It has a unique style called Art Deco. This style was popular in the 1920s and 1930s. The building is made of light-colored brick and a special stone called Indiana limestone.
It has five very large openings at the front. Each opening is 11 feet wide. These were designed for big fire trucks to drive in and out easily. Strong brick columns separate these openings. Above each entrance, you can see cool limestone designs. These designs show different symbols related to firefighting. The building has a flat roof with a very large chimney sticking up.
Inside, the walls are made of shiny brick. The floors are a smooth material called terrazzo. Some rooms and hallways have wooden panels on the lower part of the walls. When it first opened, this fire station was considered very advanced. It was designed to help firefighters move quickly and efficiently.
