Ithaca Fire Station facts for kids
The Ithaca Fire Station is a special old building located at 140 Enoggera Terrace in Paddington, Queensland, Australia. It used to be a fire station and is now protected because of its important history. The first part of the building was designed by station superintendent Alfred Joseph Harper and built in 1918-1919. Later, in 1928, an extra floor was added by architects Atkinson, Powell and Conrad, and built by Frederick Enchelmaier. This building was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 2 March 1993.
Quick facts for kids Ithaca Fire Station |
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Former Ithaca Fire Station, 1992
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| Location | 140 Enoggera Terrace, Paddington, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1914 - 1919 (World War I) |
| Built | 1918 - 1928 |
| Architect | Alfred Joseph Harper |
| Official name: Ithaca Fire Station (former) | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 March 1993 |
| Reference no. | 601199 |
| Significant period | 1917-1918, 1928 (fabric) 1918-1992 (historical) |
| Significant components | engine room / appliance bay (fire station), store/s / storeroom / storehouse, recreation area/room/building/hall/centre, wall/s - retaining, residential accommodation - staff quarters |
| Builders | Frederick Enchelmaier |
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History of the Ithaca Fire Station
The bottom floor of this building, made of timber and fibro-cement, was built in 1918-1919. It became the main office for the Ithaca Fire Brigade. This fire brigade was formed in 1918 when the Ithaca and Milton Volunteer Fire Brigades joined together. It provided the inner western suburbs with a team of four full-time firefighters and six part-time helpers.
The building was put up on Cook's Hill, where Latrobe and Enoggera Terraces meet. This was close to where the old Ithaca Volunteer Fire Brigade station used to be. The new station was quite special because the firefighters themselves built it! It cost about 500 Australian pounds, which was a lot of money back then. They even used materials from other fire stations that had been taken down.
The superintendent, Alfred Joseph Harper, designed the building and watched over the construction. The local council, called the Ithaca Town Council, helped prepare the land. They dug out the site, made terraces, and put in a special drainage system. The council really wanted to improve the firefighting service in the town.
The fire station officially opened on 8 February 1919. The Mayor of Ithaca, Alderman Kaye, was there for the opening. The station had a room for the fire engines, a recreation room, a large sleeping area (dormitory), a bathroom, and a verandah. Outside, there was a big shed and a tall fire hose tower. The hose tower was moved from the old Milton Volunteers' station on Baroona Road.
In 1921, all of Brisbane's fire brigades combined to form the Metropolitan Fire Brigades District. Even after this change, the station continued to be known as the Ithaca Fire Station.
In 1928, a first floor was added to the building. This new floor was for the officer in charge to live in. The architects for this addition were Atkinson, Powell, Conrad, and the builder was Frederick Enchelmaier. During the Second World War, the building was used as a base for the Wartime Auxiliary Fire Service.
The Ithaca Fire Station served its community until August 1992, when it closed down. It was the longest-running fire station in the Brisbane area. The tall hose tower was taken down sometime after 1981.
What the Fire Station Looks Like
The former Ithaca Fire Station is a two-story building. It is located near where Enoggera and Latrobe Terraces meet. The roof is made of corrugated fibro cement and has a sloped shape.
The bottom floor of the building is covered with timber boards called chamferboards. The top floor is covered with fibro cement panels. On the front side (north elevation), there is a central area that sticks out. This area has two sets of folding timber and glass doors, which were for the fire engines to drive through.
On the ground floor, the windows are timber sash windows. They have decorative timber hoods above them to protect from sun and rain. On the first floor, there are casement windows, which open outwards like a door.
Inside, the central area where the fire engines were kept has a concrete floor. The locker room, recreation area, and offices on each side have timber floors. The walls on the ground floor are covered with tongue and groove boards. The ceilings are also boarded. There is a special recessed area with patterned glass panels that connects the engine bay to the locker room.
On the first floor, the walls are covered with tongue and groove boards. The ceiling is made of fibro-cement. The bathroom and toilet have terrazzo floors, which are made of polished stone chips. The other rooms on this floor have timber floors. Some of the original things from when it was a fire station are still there.
Why it's a Heritage-Listed Building
The former Ithaca Fire Station was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 2 March 1993. This means it is considered very important to Queensland's history and culture. It met several important rules to be listed:
It shows how Queensland's history has changed. The Ithaca Fire Station was built in two stages, in 1918-1919 and 1928. It is an important part of a group of public buildings along Enoggera Terrace. These buildings together show the unique identity of the old Ithaca Town.
It shows what an early fire station was like. The building is a great example of what a suburban fire station looked like in the early 1900s. It helps us understand how fire services operated back then.
It is beautiful and important to the community. People in the community value the building for its appearance. It stands out and adds to the look of Paddington.
It has a strong connection with the community. The fire station has a strong social and cultural connection with the people of Paddington and Brisbane. It is part of a historic group of buildings on Cook's Hill. This group includes the nearby Ithaca War Memorial and park, the Paddington Tramways Substation, and the Ithaca Embankments.
