Old Engine Company 26 (Washington, D.C.) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Engine Company 26, (Old)
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The building in 2014
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 Location in District of Columbia
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| Location | 2715 22nd St. NE Washington, D.C. |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1908 |
| Built by | Mullett, A.B., & Sons |
| Architectural style | Tudor Revival |
| MPS | Firehouses in Washington DC MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 07000536 |
| Added to NRHP | August 8, 2007 |
The Old Engine Company No. 26 building, also known as the Langdon Firehouse, is a historic former fire station in Washington, D.C.. It was built in 1908 and is located at 2715 22nd Street, NE. This special building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007 because of its important history.
A Historic Firehouse in Washington, D.C.
Back in the early 1900s, people living in the northeastern part of Washington, D.C., really wanted better fire protection. Their neighborhood, Langdon, was outside the city's main water system, which meant fire hydrants weren't available. To fight fires, they used special chemicals instead of just water. Because of this, the station was first called Chemical Company No. 3.
The firehouse was built in 1908 to house this chemical company. Later, in the 1920s, its name was changed to Engine Company 26. This building served the community for many years, helping to keep people safe from fires. However, it eventually closed its doors as a fire station in 1940.
From Firehouse to Community Space
After Engine Company 26 moved to a new location in 1940, the city had to decide what to do with the old building. They thought about turning it into a library. But the local community group, the Rhode Island Avenue Citizens’ Association, had a different idea. They suggested using the old firehouse as a community center, a place where everyone could gather.
In the end, the city decided to sell the building to the person who offered the most money. Soon after, a church bought the property. Today, the building is owned and used by the New Memorial Temple of Christ Apostolic Faith, Inc. It's cool to see how a building that once fought fires now serves a different important role in the community!
