Fire Station No. 1 (Roanoke, Virginia) facts for kids
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Fire Station No. 1
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | 13 E. Church Ave., Roanoke, Virginia |
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| Area | 9.9 acres (4.0 ha) |
| Built | 1907 |
| Architectural style | Edwardian |
| NRHP reference No. | 73002224 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 7, 1973 |
Fire Station No. 1 is a really old and important building in Roanoke, Virginia. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a special landmark in the United States.
The building was finished in 1907. It served as a fire station for 100 years! It was one of the longest-running fire stations in Virginia. The building was designed by Huggins and Bates. It looks a bit like Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Today, it's a monument to the city's history. You can find it in the Roanoke City Market Historic District.
Contents
The Story of Fire Station No. 1
Building a New Fire Station
In 1882, Roanoke had only volunteer firefighters. These brave people helped put out fires for free. In 1906, the city hired its first paid firefighters. They needed a proper place to work from. So, construction for Fire Station No. 1 began on February 19, 1906.
The station was finished by 1907. It was built in the Georgian Revival style. This was popular during the Edwardian era. The building has a strong limestone base. It also has a solid brick front. Fancy terracotta decorations add to its look. A tall bell tower sat on top. From there, firefighters could see the whole city!
From Horses to Engines
At first, firefighters used horse-drawn wagons. These wagons carried their equipment. But things changed quickly! By 1911, the city bought its first engine-powered fire truck. This new truck was kept at Fire Station No. 1. By 1918, all the horse-drawn wagons were gone. Modern engine-powered trucks took their place.
Changes Over Time
A big bell was originally placed in the bell tower. This bell was made in 1886. In 2001, the bell was taken down. It was carefully cleaned and fixed. Now, you can see it on the first floor of the station.
By 2003, the old building needed some repairs. Workers fixed the original limestone on the outside. The bell tower was also fully restored. The station was ready to go again by December of that year.
A New Purpose
Officials said Fire Station No. 1 would stay open. Even with a new station being built, they planned to keep it running. But on May 9, 2007, the station stopped responding to fire and EMS calls.
Today, Fire Station No. 1 has a new job. It is now a fire museum! Anyone can visit and learn about its history. It also serves as a stable for the Roanoke Police Department's Mounted Patrol. This is where police horses live.
