Fire District No. 2 Firehouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Fire District No. 2 Firehouse
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | 716 Depot St., Chester, Vermont |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1879 |
| Architectural style | Second Empire |
| NRHP reference No. | 100005063 |
| Added to NRHP | March 16, 2020 |
The Yosemite Engine House is a really old fire station in Chester, Vermont. People also call it the Fire District No. 2 Firehouse. It was built way back in 1879! This building is special because it's the only old fire station in Vermont with two towers. These towers have a unique look called 'Second Empire' style. Today, the town owns this historic building. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2020, which means it's officially recognized as an important historical site.
Chester's Historic Fire Station
What It Looks Like
The Yosemite Engine House stands out in the village of Chester Depot. You can find it on the east side of Depot Street, which is also Vermont Route 103. It's right between the road and the Williams River.
This building has 2-1/2 stories and is made of wood. It has a sloped roof and an outside covered with clapboard siding. The main entrance for fire trucks is on the south side. A sliding door, added later, helps vehicles get in and out.
The most unique parts of the building are its two towers. The tower on the north side is taller. Firefighters used it to hang and dry their hoses after a fire. The shorter tower on the south side holds the fire bell. Both towers have cool, fancy roofs called 'mansard roofs' with decorative tops. Inside, on the second floor, there's a small room that was used for meetings.
A Look Back at Its History
Chester created its second fire district in 1871. This happened after several big fires hit the village of Chester Depot. We don't know who designed the fire station. However, its 'Second Empire' style was probably influenced by Frederick Marsh. He was a local businessman who had built a house in that style nearby. He also worked as an engineer for the Yosemite Engine Company, which was the main firefighting group.
The building's vehicle entrance was first made for equipment pulled by people or horses. In the 1930s, it was made bigger. This allowed the station to fit newer fire trucks that had engines.
The fire district was a separate group that could collect taxes. It was dissolved in 1967. After that, its buildings, including the firehouse, went back to the town. The firehouse was later sold to private owners. For a short time, the local historical society ran it as a museum. But in 2018, the town bought it back again.
