O. H. Booth Hose Company facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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O. H. Booth Hose Company
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Front elevation in 2008
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | 532 Main St., Poughkeepsie, New York |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1908 |
| Architect | Beardsley, William J. |
| MPS | Poughkeepsie MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 82001123 |
| Added to NRHP | November 26, 1982 |
The O.H. Booth Hose Company building is an old firehouse in Poughkeepsie, New York, United States. It was used by firefighters for about 100 years. This building was active from the late 1910s until the mid-2000s. That's when the city's police and fire departments moved to a new building. Now, a group of local firefighters wants to turn it into a museum. It would teach people about firefighting history.
Contents
The O.H. Booth Hose Company Building
A Look at the Building
This building has three stories and is made of brick. It has three large openings, called bays. These bays were big enough for two fire engines. The second and third floors have special arched windows. This kind of window was not common for fire stations back then.
The Company's History
The O.H. Booth Hose Company began in the mid-1800s. It started after an older group, the Howard Hose Co. No. 2, had some problems. Members of that group were unhappy about new buildings given to other fire companies. Many of them quit, and the old company closed down.
Oliver H. Booth, who was the chief at the time, then started a new company. It was named in his honor.
Building a New Firehouse
Around 1908, the O.H. Booth Hose Company needed a new home on Main Street. They hired a local architect named William J. Beardsley. He had recently designed the new Dutchess County Court House.
Beardsley's design for the firehouse was simpler than other fire stations in the city. It included an upper floor that was meant to be a club for the firefighters. One of his original drawings of the building is still on display inside.
In 1982, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a special list of important historical places in the United States. The O.H. Booth Hose Company building is one of three firehouses in Poughkeepsie to get this honor. The other two are the Lady Washington Hose Company and the Niagara Engine House.
A New Purpose for the Building?
In 2008, a group called the Exempt Fireman's Association made a suggestion. This group is made up of local volunteer firefighters. Oliver H. Booth himself started this group in 1886.
They proposed that the old firehouse be used as a firefighting museum. They also want it to be a place to teach people about fire safety. The group believes that many city residents don't know enough about fire safety.
The city said they would talk about the idea. But they wanted the fire department to fully move out of the building first. The head of the city firefighters' union said the building needs a lot of repairs. It will cost a lot to fix it up. However, the head of the Exempts group believes his team has enough people to help with the work. They also plan to apply for money from state and federal grants to help pay for the renovations.
