Los Angeles Fire Department Museum and Memorial Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Significant dates

Engine Co. No. 27
U.S. National Register of Historic Places

Engine Co. No. 27, home of the Fire Dept. Museum
Location	1355 N. Cahuenga Boulevard, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
Built	1930
Architect	Peter K. Schabarum
Architectural style	Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals
NRHP reference No.	85002559
Added to NRHP	September 24, 1985

The Los Angeles Fire Department Museum and Memorial is a special place in Hollywood. It is located at a historic building called Old Engine Co. No. 27, also known as Fire Station No. 27, on Cahuenga Boulevard.

This museum shows off old fire engines and equipment, some from the 1880s! It also has a library and a place to learn about fire safety. The building itself is important. It was named a Los Angeles Cultural-Heritage Monument in 1976. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.

Outside the station, there is a memorial for firefighters. It lists all the Los Angeles firefighters who have died while on duty. There are also five life-size statues of firefighters.

History of Fire Station 27
Los Angeles Fire Department Museum
Fallen Firefighters Memorial
See also

History of Fire Station 27

When it opened in July 1930, Fire Station No. 27 was huge. It was about 20,000 square feet, making it the largest fire station west of the Mississippi River. This building has an Italian Renaissance revival style.

For over 60 years, this fire station helped the Hollywood community. This included the famous movie studios and the stars living in the Hollywood Hills. The station was even used as a movie set many times. Actors like The Three Stooges and Buster Keaton filmed here.

Sometimes, filming at a working fire station caused funny problems. In 1937, a real fire alarm went off while a movie was being filmed. The movie was called Two Platoons. The Los Angeles Times newspaper wrote about it.

The actors Dick Foran and Robert Armstrong were in the middle of a scene. Suddenly, the fire alarm rang! The firefighters had to leave right away to fight a brush fire. The movie crew had to wait an hour before they could start filming again.

In 1950, Captain Michael J. Carter of Engine Co. No. 27 died while fighting a fire. He was supervising a fire at a record-making factory in Hollywood. Captain Carter is one of the brave firefighters honored at the memorial outside the station.

One firefighter, Lawrence T. O'Neill, worked at Station 27 for a very long time. He served there for 34 years, starting in 1929. When he retired in 1963, he remembered fighting many big fires. These included the Paramount sound stage fire and the Consolidated Laboratories fire, both in 1929.

In 1966, the famous music group The Beach Boys filmed their "Good Vibrations" music video at the station.

In 1976, there was a disagreement about the station. The Fire Department wanted to oppose making Station No. 27 a Historic-Cultural Monument. The Fire Chief was worried it would stop them from rebuilding or selling the station.

But even with their opposition, Fire Station No. 27 was named a Cultural-Historical Monument. This was important because in 1984, the Los Angeles Fire Department planned to tear down 16 old fire stations. The historic title saved Engine Co. No. 27.

The station was also listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. Instead of tearing it down, a new fire station was built right next door. The old building was damaged in the 1994 Northridge earthquake. However, it was fixed up to look like it used to. Now, it is a museum honoring the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Los Angeles Fire Department Museum

A Model T fire engine on display at the museum.

The Los Angeles Fire Department Museum opened in October 2001. This was just after the September 11 attacks in New York City and Arlington County. The museum's walls are covered with old photos showing the department's history.

Inside, you can see several old fire engines and historical firefighting tools. Some of these items are from the 1880s. There is also a research library. A learning center teaches kids and parents about fire safety and emergency procedures.

William Rolland, a retired Los Angeles firefighter, helped fund the museum. He said, "I believe we must begin by educating our youth. A museum is not something you finish; museums are something you start." He wanted the museum to teach children and parents about fire safety.

In 2003, the Los Angeles Times newspaper wrote about the museum. They said it looked like a movie set with its high ceilings and old brass fire poles. But they also said it had a bigger purpose: "keeping the flame of L.A. Fire Department history."

The Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Society runs other museums too. These include the Los Angeles Harbor Fire Museum in San Pedro. There is also the Plaza Fire House near Olvera Street. Another is the African American Fire Fighter Museum.

Fallen Firefighters Memorial

In front of the museum, you will find the Fallen Firefighter Memorial. It has a special wall with the names of every Los Angeles firefighter. These are the firefighters who died while on active duty.

The memorial also has five life-size bronze statues of firefighters. Two statues show firefighters putting out a fire. A fourth statue is helping a fallen firefighter. The fifth statue is the fire captain, making a decision and also caring for the injured firefighter.

These statues were designed by Los Angeles Fire Captain Harold Dwayne Golden. They were created in Minnesota by a group called Honors for Excellence.

In 2005, firefighters held a torch relay through the city. They did this to raise money for the memorial. Each fire battalion in Los Angeles took turns running 13 miles with the torch. Firefighter Dominic Pascal said, "You don't want to forget your family members, and we don't want to forget ours." He explained that losing someone in a fire is a very emotional event.

Los Angeles Fire Department Museum and Memorial facts for kids

Contents

History of Fire Station 27

Los Angeles Fire Department Museum

Fallen Firefighters Memorial

See also