Old Perth Fire Station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Old Perth Fire Station |
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Old Perth Fire Station
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| General information | |
| Type | Heritage listed building |
| Location | Perth, Western Australia |
| Coordinates | 31°57′17″S 115°51′51″E / 31.9548°S 115.8643°E |
| Type | State Registered Place |
| Designated | 18 November 2008 |
| Reference no. | 2051 |
The Old Perth Fire Station was once the main fire station for Perth, Western Australia. It was the very first building in Western Australia built just for firefighters!
It opened its doors in 1901 and served the city until 1979. Today, this historic building is home to the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) Education and Heritage Centre. It's like a museum where you can see old documents and cool vintage vehicles from the early days of emergency services.
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What Does the Fire Station Look Like?
The Old Perth Fire Station was designed by an architect named Michael Cavanagh. It was built around 1900. The building has a special style called Romanesque Revival.
It's a two-storey building made from strong limestone with a tiled roof. It stands on a corner and has many interesting features. You can see arches, small towers called turrets, and columns that are set back into the walls.
A Look Back: The Fire Station's History
Where Did the Fire Brigade Start?
Before this new station, the fire brigade worked from a space under the Perth Town Hall. They paid a very small rent for this spot.
In 1899, the Fire Brigades Board decided they needed a new, bigger home. They wanted to build a new station close to the Town Hall.
Choosing the Location and Architect
In October 1899, they found a good piece of land at the corner of Murray and Irwin Streets. They bought it for £3,125.
The Board then chose Michael Cavanagh to design the new building. He was an architect who moved to Perth in 1895 because of the gold rush. He designed many other important buildings in Western Australia. The Board asked him to design a building that would cost no more than £4,000.
The building was finished in December 1900. The fire brigade moved into their new station on January 1, 1901.
Expanding the Station
By 1910, the fire brigade needed more space. They decided to make the No. 1 Fire Station bigger. They needed more room for equipment, workshops, a meeting room, and living quarters for officers.
They bought the land next to the station on Irwin Street. There was an old school building on this land. The building committee suggested that the fire brigade staff, many of whom were skilled workers, could use the old materials from the school to build the new workshops and lecture room.
James (Jack) Learmonth Ochiltree was chosen as the architect for these additions. The new parts included a boardroom, offices, an ambulance shed, a store, and chief officers' quarters. These additions were completed in 1914.
What Is It Used For Now?
In 1979, the Perth Fire Brigade moved out of the building. The old station was then carefully restored between 1983 and 1985.
- The roof was replaced with terracotta tiles that matched the original ones.
- A limestone arch that had been changed was rebuilt to look like it used to.
- Columns, decorations, and original doors were put back.
Inside, new wooden stairs, toilets, and a small theatre were added. The ceilings were also updated to match the old style.
The building reopened in 1985 as the Fire Safety Education Centre and Museum. In 2006, more work was done to make sure people with disabilities could easily access the building.
Today, the old station shows the history of emergency services in Western Australia. It has displays about fire services and a special gallery about natural hazards and disasters.
Why Is This Building Important?
The Old Perth Fire Station is a very important historical building. It has been recognized by several groups for its value:
- It was added to the Register of the National Estate in 1978.
- The National Trust (WA) recognized it in 1975.
- It is on the City of Perth's Municipal Inventory.
- It was officially listed on the State Register of Heritage Places in Western Australia in 2008.
People value its unique architectural style, especially its turreted entrance, which makes it a well-known landmark.
