Florence Firehouse facts for kids
The Florence Firehouse is a cool old building in the Florence neighborhood of Omaha, Nebraska. It's located at 8415 North 29th Street. This historic building was first built in 1888. It used to be home to the brave firefighters of Florence Hose Company #1.
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The Story of the Florence Firehouse
Early Days: A Temporary Fire Station
Imagine a time when fire stations were made of wood and only temporary! The very first Florence Fire Station was built in 1854. It was a simple wooden building. The Florence city council decided to build it. This station was at the corner of State and 4th Street. Today, that street is known as 29th Street. It was basically a large garage. It could hold two horses and the fire equipment.
A New Brick Firehouse
The city decided to build a stronger station in 1888. They constructed a new building made of brick. This is the Florence Firehouse we know today. Volunteer firefighters worked there. They were known as Fire Hose Company #1. These volunteers helped keep the community safe from fires.
What Happened Next?
In 1917, the City of Omaha grew bigger. It officially took over Florence. When this happened, the fire station was no longer needed by the city. It was left empty for many years. Later, in 1998, the Florence Historical Society bought the building. They now help preserve its history.
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