Owatonna Firemen's Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Owatonna Firemen's Hall |
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The Owatonna Firemen's Hall and garage from the north-northeast
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| Former names | Owatonna City and Firemen's Hall |
| General information | |
| Status | Fire station |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival |
| Location | Owatonna, Minnesota |
| Address | 107 Main Street West |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 44°5′1″N 93°13′35.5″W / 44.08361°N 93.226528°W |
| Construction started | 1906 |
| Opened | October 5, 1907 |
| Renovated | 1996 |
| Cost | $19,643.00 |
| Owner | City of Owatonna |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 3 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | William F. Keefe |
| Main contractor | Hammel Brothers and Anderson |
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Owatonna City and Firemen's Hall
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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| Part of | Owatonna Commercial Historic District (ID14001237) |
| NRHP reference No. | 97000019 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | January 31, 1997 |
| Designated CP | February 2, 2015 |
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| To save lives and property in a safe and efficient manner | |
| Agency overview | |
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| Established | 1875 |
| Fire chief | Mike Johnson |
| Facilities and equipment | |
| Stations | 1 |
| Engines | 4 |
| Trucks | 5 |
| Ladders | 1 |
| Tenders | 2 |
| Website | |
| http://www.ci.owatonna.mn.us/fire/ | |
The Owatonna Firemen's Hall is a really old and important building in Owatonna, Minnesota. It was built a long time ago, between 1906 and 1907. This building was first used for both the Owatonna Fire Department and the city's government offices.
In 1974, the city offices moved to a different location. But the Firemen's Hall is still the main home for the Owatonna Fire Department today. It's a special place because it has been recognized as a historic building. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. This means it's important for its architecture and its role in local government. In 2015, it also became part of the Owatonna Commercial Historic District.
Contents
Building History: A Look Back
The story of the Firemen's Hall began in September 1903. The city's fire department bought two pieces of land. These lots were about 44 feet wide and 132 feet long. They cost $3,126.00 at the time.
Planning and Construction
On September 19, 1905, the people of Owatonna voted on a big idea. They decided to approve $15,000.00 to build a new city hall and fire station. This showed that the community really wanted a modern building for their services.
A construction company called Hammel and Anderson won the building contract. Their bid was $19,643.00. On August 17, 1906, the firemen gave their land to the city. They had one condition: the city had to spend at least $15,000.00 to build a three-story building. The firemen also gave $1,000 to help with costs. They got a 25-year lease to use the building.
The first stone of the building was placed on September 8, 1906. This is called laying the cornerstone. The building officially opened on October 5, 1907. All the fire equipment was moved into the new station on November 5 of that same year. At first, the fire department used horses to pull their equipment. But in 1915, they bought their first motorized vehicle, a 1915 Jeffery truck.
Changes Over the Years
In 1974, the city government offices moved out of the building. They went to a new campus where an old state orphanage used to be. The Firemen's Hall then got some updates. In 1996, a new truck bay was built where the old Roxy Theatre once stood. The Roxy Theatre had been torn down in the 1950s. More improvements were made in 2008, including adding an elevator and remodeling the third floor.
Future Plans for Fire Services
The City of Owatonna is always thinking about the future. In February 2016, the city bought two new lots for $184,000. These lots are in northeastern Owatonna. The plan is to build a new fire sub-station there someday. The current Firemen's Hall is about 1.5 miles from the northern part of Owatonna. This can make response times longer for emergencies in that area. The city plans to wait for more development in the area before building the new station. This might take about 10 years.
Other Ways the Hall is Used
The Owatonna Firemen's Hall isn't just for firefighters! It's also the main office for Steele County Skywarn. Skywarn is a group of volunteers who watch the weather. They help keep everyone safe by reporting important weather conditions.
Skywarn uses the third floor of the building for their meetings. They also have a special room that acts like a control center. From this room, they talk to their volunteers who are out watching the weather. They also keep an eye on weather conditions around Owatonna. Then, they send their reports to the National Weather Service in Chanhassen, Minnesota. This helps meteorologists give accurate weather forecasts and warnings.
