Torrington Fire Department Headquarters facts for kids
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Torrington Fire Department Headquarters
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 117 Water Street, Torrington, Connecticut |
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| Area | 0.3 acres (0.12 ha) |
| Built | 1901 |
| Built by | Hotchkiss Bros. Co. |
| Architect | Palmer, Charles S. |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| Part of | Water Street Historic District (ID02001698) |
| NRHP reference No. | 87002185 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 31, 1987 |
| Designated CP | January 15, 2003 |
The Torrington Fire Department Headquarters is a cool old building in Torrington, Connecticut. You can find it at 117 Water Street. It's right next to the newer fire station at number 111. This building was finished in 1901. It's a great example of a style called Romanesque Revival architecture. This building was the main fire station for the city until 1980. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 31, 1987.
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Exploring the Old Fire Station
This historic fire station is located in downtown Torrington. It sits on the south side of Water Street, close to John Street. The building is made of brick and has two stories. It's built in the Romanesque Revival style. This style often uses round arches and strong, sturdy shapes.
What Does It Look Like?
The front of the building has three main sections. On the ground floor, there are large, rectangular openings. These were for the fire trucks and equipment. Upstairs, you'll see two sets of round-arched windows.
A tall bell tower stands on the left side. It has an open section at the top where a bell would have been. This part is shaped with round arches. The very top of the tower has a cool, castle-like roof.
Inside the Firehouse
Inside, the ground floor had very strong fir wood floors. This was important for holding heavy fire equipment. The firefighters lived and worked on the second floor. This level had their living areas, offices, and places to relax. Down in the basement, there were special racks. These were used for drying the long fire hoses after they had been used.
History of the Building
The famous architect Charles S. Palmer designed this fire station. It was built between 1900 and 1901. It's not just a beautiful building. It also had some of the newest technology for its time.
Modern Features for Its Time
When it was built, the station had electricity. This was a big deal back then! It also had a special automatic system. This system could quickly release the horses from their stalls. These horses were used to pull the fire pumps to emergencies.
This building was the main fire station in Torrington for many years. It served the town until 1980. That's when the new, modern fire station was built right next door.
