E91s quarters has an interesting history. It was originally built in1913 for a two section engine company and H&L43, The 2d section of the engine was not organized until 1916 and remained in service for 40 years until disbanded after World War II in 1946.
In 1957, a second section of E91 was reorganized once again, but it was disbanded a year later.
Engine 91-2, A totally separate company, moved in the quarters in 1968 until it was disbanded in 1974. Battalion 25 occupied these quarters from 1969 until disbanded in 1989.
H&L 43 relocated to the new quarters of E53 in 1974.
When organized in 1913, 91/43 immediately became one of the busiest houses in the city and remained so for the next 3/4 century. I buffed there during my college days in the late 60s war years. The house was in constant motion, manned by a raucous bunch of great firemen, as I have written about before. In addition to E91 and 91-2 in one bay, the Chief ran from the the other bay, which was often crammed with one or two old spare Ward LaFrance CD rigs also. L43 occupied the single bay on the other side of the wall. The kitchen table remains today where Babe Ruth signed his first contract with the New York Yankees.
