Florence Firehouse facts for kids
The Florence Firehouse is a historic building located at 8415 North 29th Street in the Florence neighborhood of Omaha, Nebraska. It was built in 1888 and was once home to Florence Hose Company #1, a group of firefighters.
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History of the Florence Firehouse
The story of the Florence Firehouse begins even before the current brick building.
The First Fire Station (1854)
The very first fire station in Florence was a simple wooden building. It was built in 1854 by the Florence city council. People thought it would only be a "temporary" building. This early firehouse was located where State Street and 4th Street met, which is now called 29th Street. It was basically a large garage. It was big enough for two horses and the fire wagon they used to pull.
Building the New Firehouse (1888)
In 1888, the city decided to build a stronger, new fire station. They used bricks for this new building. The firefighters who worked there were volunteers. They were known as Fire Hose Company #1.
Changes Over Time
Florence was its own city for many years. But in 1917, the larger city of Omaha officially took over Florence. When this happened, the fire station was no longer needed by the city. It was closed down right away. Many years later, in 1998, the Florence Historical Society bought the old firehouse. They help preserve important historical places in the area.
