The Firehouse Restaurant facts for kids
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| Private | |
| Industry | Restaurants |
| Headquarters | Old Sacramento, , |
| Products | Food services |
The Firehouse Restaurant is a special place to eat in Old Sacramento. It's inside an old building made of red bricks that used to be a fire station way back in 1853. This restaurant first opened its doors in 1960.
The Firehouse Restaurant's Story
Sacramento started California's very first fire department in 1850. After two big fires caused a lot of damage, a new brick fire station was built in 1853. This building was home to the fire chief and the volunteer firefighters of Engine Company No. 3.
Over the years, different people owned and used the building. Then, in 1959, a man named Newton Cope bought it. Mr. Cope decided to fix up the old fire station. He turned it into a small bar and restaurant. It was designed to look like places from the Gold Rush Era. This was the first building to be renovated in the new Historic District. Later, The Firehouse was named a historical landmark.
The Firehouse Restaurant officially opened in 1960. Since then, many important people have visited. This includes governors, politicians, and famous sports and entertainment stars. People from other countries, tourists, and locals also enjoy eating there. The restaurant has a huge collection of wines. Its wine cellar holds over 18,000 bottles.
When Ronald Reagan was the governor of California, he held both of his special dinner parties to celebrate becoming governor at The Firehouse.
In 1999, a company called Harvego Enterprises bought the restaurant.
The restaurant has a special staircase. This staircase used to be in the Preston Castle. When the castle closed, parts of it were sold, and this staircase found a new home at The Firehouse.
In 2004, the building was used as a set for a movie called Her Minor Thing. The movie came out in 2005.
In 2009, a company called Amgen held a press conference at the restaurant. They announced that Sacramento would be part of the 2010 Amgen Tour of California bike race.
The Sacramento group of The Salvation Army had its very first meeting at The Firehouse Restaurant on May 19, 1885. Exactly 125 years later, on May 19, 2010, The Firehouse Restaurant hosted their 125th anniversary meeting.
Awards and Special Recognitions
The Firehouse Restaurant has won many awards for its food and service:
- It received the "Award of Excellence" from Wine Spectator Magazine.
- Readers of Sacramento magazine voted The Firehouse for several awards. These included "Best Wine List," "Best Special Occasion," "Best Outdoor Dining," and "Best Old Favorite."
- It also won Sacramento magazine's Editor's Choice Award for "The Firehouse Courtyard—Best Atmosphere for Dining."
- Citysearch gave The Firehouse the "Best Special Occasion" award.
- It was awarded the "Award of Unique Distinction" from Wine Enthusiast Magazine in both 2006 and 2007.
- The restaurant also won the California Restaurant Association's "Best California Wine List Competition."
