Fire Alarm, Telegraph and Police Signaling Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Fire Alarm, Telegraph and
Police Signaling Building |
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South elevation, 2009
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | Troy, NY |
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| Built | 1920-22 |
| NRHP reference No. | 02001714 |
| Added to NRHP | 2003 |
The Fire Alarm, Telegraph and Police Signaling Building, often called the Signaling Building, is a historic building in Troy, New York, United States. It is located on State Street. Today, Rensselaer County uses it for storage.
This building was very important for Troy's safety. It was built in the early 1920s to help prevent large, damaging fires. For many years, it housed a special "silent alarm" system for both fire and police. In 2003, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Protecting Troy: A Special Building
The Signaling Building was created for a very important reason: to protect the city of Troy from fires. In the 1800s, Troy had many terrible fires. These fires destroyed large parts of the city. Leaders wanted to make sure this would not happen again.
The building was finished between 1920 and 1922. It was designed to hold new technology. This technology would help the city respond much faster to emergencies.
The "Silent Alarm" System
Before this building, cities often used loud bells to warn people about fires. People called "bell-ringers" would ring the bells. The new system in the Signaling Building was different. It was a "silent alarm" system.
This system used telephone wires to send signals. When someone reported a fire or a crime, the signal went straight to the building. From there, fire trucks or police cars could be sent quickly. This was much faster and more organized than the old ways.
The system helped both the fire department and the police. It allowed them to work together better. This made Troy a safer place to live.
A Historic Landmark
The Signaling Building was used for its original purpose until 1968. After that, technology changed, and new systems were put in place. Even though it no longer handles alarms, the building is still important.
In 2003, the Signaling Building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as a special place in American history. It shows how cities worked to become safer in the early 20th century. It also reminds us of Troy's efforts to protect its citizens and buildings.
