Fire Station No. 19 (Minneapolis, Minnesota) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Fire Station No. 19
|
|
The former Fire Station No. 19 from the southwest
|
|
 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Minneapolis, Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Built | 1893 |
| Architect | Minneapolis Public Works |
| Architectural style | Minneapolis Horse Drawn Series |
| NRHP reference No. | 82002960 |
| Added to NRHP | January 14, 1982 |
The Fire Station No. 19 building in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States is a historic landmark. It is located near the University of Minnesota campus. Today, it is home to a Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant and the Station 19 Architects firm.
This old fire station is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is an important building recognized for its history.
Contents
Why Was Fire Station No. 19 Built?
The Fire Station No. 19 was built in 1893. At that time, Minneapolis was growing very fast. More people and businesses meant the city needed better services.
People living and working on the east side of the Mississippi River wanted better fire protection. This was especially true after a big fire in 1892. That fire destroyed the University of Minnesota's Old Main building and some nearby grain storage areas. So, Fire Station No. 19 was built to help keep the area safe from fires.
What Did the Fire Station Look Like?
The building was designed in a simple, useful style. This style was unique to Minneapolis fire stations. It also had some decorative touches.
When it was first built, the station had a tall bell tower. This tower was later removed. Inside, the station had a special area for fire trucks with a hardwood floor. It was one of the last fire stations in the city to use horse-drawn fire equipment. Horses pulled the fire engines as late as 1922!
A newer Fire Station 19 opened in 1976. It is located just one block south of the historic building.
The Birthplace of Kittenball
Besides being a fire station, Historic Fire Station No. 19 is famous for something else. It is where a game called "kittenball" was invented! Kittenball was an early version of softball.
Louis Rober was a lieutenant at the fire station from 1896 to 1906. He changed the rules of baseball to create a new game. This game needed less space, time, and equipment than regular baseball. He created it so firefighters could get exercise while they waited for fire alarms.
Early Kittenball Teams
Many teams started playing kittenball. Some early teams included:
- The "Kittens" from Engine Company 19 (the fire station itself!)
- The "Rats" from Engine Company 9
- The "Whales" from Engine Company 4
- The "Salisburys" from a mattress factory
- The "Pillsburys" from nearby flour mills
- The "Central Avenues"
By 1906, more than 20 teams were playing in summer leagues. This shows how popular the game became!
What Happened to the Building Later?
In 1977, some local architects bought the building. They turned it into their offices and named their company Station 19 Architects. This firm mainly designs churches in Minnesota.
Saving the Historic Building
Around the mid-2000s, there was a worry that the University of Minnesota might tear down the building. The university was planning new roads for the TCF Bank Stadium, which was being built then.
The university offered to buy the property in early 2006. The building owners were concerned that the property might be taken by the government. This is called eminent domain, where the government can take private land for public use, even if the owner doesn't want to sell.
However, the roads were eventually built around the fire station. This saved the building from being torn down. Now, it stands alone on a small "island" across from the stadium.
