Charter Oak Firehouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Charter Oak Firehouse
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 105 Hanover Street, Meriden, Connecticut |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1876 |
| Architect | Kane, James, Sr. |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 94000255 |
| Added to NRHP | March 17, 1994 |
The Charter Oak Firehouse is a really old building in Meriden, Connecticut. It was built way back in 1876. This makes it the very first fire station ever built in Meriden! It's also the oldest city building still standing. Today, it's not a fire station anymore. It has been changed into offices. This historic building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 17, 1994.
Discovering the Charter Oak Firehouse
The Charter Oak Firehouse is located in downtown Meriden. You can find it at the corner of Hanover and Butler Streets. It's a two-story building made of brick. It has a cool style called Romanesque. The roof is shaped like a gable, which means it slopes down on two sides.
What Does This Historic Building Look Like?
The most noticeable part of the firehouse is its tall, square tower. This tower is four stories high. It used to have an open wooden bell tower on top. Now, it has a flat roof. Near the top of the tower, you can see rounded window openings.
The building has a large opening for fire trucks. This opening faces Butler Street. It has big wooden doors with glass panels. These doors are set into a rounded archway. There's also a smaller door for people. This door is located between the main entrance and the tower. Some parts have been added to the building over time. These additions extend to the west and south.
A Look Back in Time: The Firehouse's History
The Charter Oak Firehouse was built in 1876. When it first opened, it housed a pumper. This pumper was a machine used to spray water. It was pulled by people, not horses or engines! A local bricklayer named James Kane built the firehouse. He was known for working very quickly.
In the 1890s, the city got a new steam pumper. This machine was pulled by horses. So, the firehouse was made bigger. They added space at the back of the building. This new space held the steam pumper. It also had stables for the horses.
The building was used as a fire station for a long time. It served the city until 1979. After that, it became an office for the state's motor vehicle department. Then, in 1992, it was changed again. It became the commercial office space we see today.
