Engine 31 in Manhatten

nfd2004 · Jul 9, 2009

Back in the 50s, I remember going into a firehouse in Manhatten with my father to ask for directions. It was in lower Manhatten, maybe around Chinatown, because the rigs were the first FDNY ones that I ever saw and they had Chinese writing on them. There were two engines, open cab of course and maybe they were Ward LaFrances. There was also I believe an American LaFrance Tiller Ladder there, open cab. Was Engine 31 in the same quarters with Eng 7 and Ladder 1 at that time. I seem to remember seeing those numbers on the rigs. But we were only in there for a short time. Thats over 50 years ago.

vbcapt · Jul 9, 2009

William: Here's E31's location history

ENGINE 31 MANHATTAN
ORG. 116 Leonard St. FQ Vol. (Oct. 20, 1865)
RELOC. 68 Elm St. (Temp.) (Apr. 1, 1894)
NQTRS. Elm St. & White St. W/ Tow. 1 (Jun. 3, 1896)
CHANGE 87 Lafayette St. (Dec. 15, 1905)
RELOC. 363 Broome St. At E-55 (Feb. 1965)
RQTRS. 87 Lafayette St. (Apr. 1965)
RELOC. 100 Duane St. At E-7 (Feb. 2, 1967)
RELOC. 363 Broome St. At E-55 (Feb. 26, 1970)
DISB. (Nov. 25, 1972

kidfrmqns · Jul 9, 2009

Anyone know why they were originally moved out of their Lafayette St quarters and in with E-7? The building they were in looks to be in good condition even to present day.

nfd2004 · Jul 9, 2009

Deano, (vbcapt), I have to guess it was when they were on Lafayette St back in 1920 or so (just kidding). But looking at the info you gave me, it probadly was when I went to the FDNY Fire Musuem, and not when I was a young guy with my father. That was probadly a different firehouse we were in. Thanks for the Come Back.

vbcapt · Jul 9, 2009

No problem, my pleasure.

guitarman314 · Jul 9, 2009

kidfrmqns said:
Anyone know why they were originally moved out of their Lafayette St quarters and in with E-7? The building they were in looks to be in good condition even to present day.

Although the building was declared a landmark, it was found to be unsafe to house fire apparatus. BTW, the two engines you saw were probably the 1954 Mack L 1000 gpm HP pumpers of E7 and E31 and L1's 1960 ALF 900.

nfd2004 · Jul 9, 2009

Mr Guitarman314, Yes sir I believe those were the rigs. So it was actually later and on Duane St where I was.
Thanks guys for all the help.

KickAssBlaster · Aug 16, 2009

"Stately Duane Manor", eh? Big house back then. Wasn't E-10 located there temporarily after 9-11?

vbcapt · Aug 16, 2009

E10 initially went to E4/TL15's house for a bit & then over to E7/TL1/Batt1