FDNY and NYC Firehouses and Fire Companies

[68jk09]

The FH in the picture of the 1961 Funeral Procession for SQ*2 FF John Croswaithe is the temporary "Quonset Hut" FH of ENG*8 ..LAD*2 & BN*8.....    https://postimg.cc/image/q2jd747gr/

 

[mikeindabronx]

Two 62's ?

You got it Chief

 

[fdhistorian]

For a period of time between 1908 and 1925, NYC built firehouses with walls between companies, and therefore separate housewatches.  GMan compiled a good summary a while back: 

"If you go back in time, most ladder companies had their own firehouses including many that had a solid wall between the engine & truck side and separate housewatch desks: 1(w/E7-1 & 7-2), 2*, 3, 4, 5*, 6, 7, 8*, 9*, 10, 11, 12, 13*, 14, 15, 17*, 18, 19, 20*, 21*, 22*, 23, 24, 25(w/E74), 26*, 27(next to E46), 28*, 30, 34(w/E84), 35*, 38(w/E88) 39, 40, 41(w/E90), 42(next to E73), 43(w/E91-1 & 91-2) 44(w/E92)), 45(w/E93-1 & 93-2), 46(w/E81), 47(next to E64), 49(on Nelson Ave. directly behind E68), 77(w/E153), 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 114, 116, 118(365 Jay St. w/R-2), 122(next to E220), 123, 124(w/E271), 125, 126, 127(w/E275, 298 & 299), 131(w/E279), 132(w/E280), 134(w/E264 & 328), 136(w/E287), 140(w/E291), 142(w/E285), 144(w/E295), 146(w/E229), 147(w/E281), 148(w/E282), 149(w/E284). [* means double company]"


The explanation for the firehouse separation is believed to be a NYC law or policy which was also posted by site member, 811: 

"I was told during that period, that when they built these houses, there was a city law stating a house could only have one Captain even if it contained two companies. So to beat this law, they built two separate houses with a common wall."

When you look at G-Man's list of ladder companies that had a house to themselves, whether it was a stand alone building, one building but with a wall between companies, a building with its own address distinct from the engine company, or a building that no longer has an engine, clearly a majority of ladder companies had their own house at one time.

G-Man's list with a few additional:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (2 different houses), 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18 (2 different houses, Bronx and Manhattan), 19 (3 different houses), 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 34, 35, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 49, 58, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 114, 116, 118, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 129, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 140, 142, 144, 146, 147, 148, 149, 175 

Co-located houses but with their own address:
27, 36, 37, 38, 41, 42, 43, 44, 46, 47, 58, 77, 117, 120, 121, 122, 124, 125, 126, 127, 129, 131, 134, 146, 147, 148, 149, 151, 152, 157, 160, 163

Co-located houses with walls:  (as noted by others on this site)
25, 27, 34, 38, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 58, 77, (118?), 122, 124, (127?), 131, 132, 134, 136, 140, 142, 144, 146, 147, 148, 149

Does E 220 & L 122 tie for that honor?

Yes, 220/122 and quite a few others

 

[guitarman314]

Two 62's ?

Engine 62 was organized on Feb. 1, 1896 as a combination fire co. (pumper, chemical hose wagon & city service ladder truck). Except for a short period between July 2, 1900 and Dec. 12, 1903 they remained a combination fire co. until Ladder 32 was relocated there Dec. 20, 1928. Ladder 32 was relocated to E97 on Aprill 1, 1931 but returned April 17, 1933.

 

[mack]

Another pair of side-by-side FDNY firehouses:

   

   

 

[JOR176]

Ladder 132 had a different address than 280

280-  489 St Johns PL

132-  491 St Johns Pl

 

[mack]

Ladder 132 had a different address than 280

280-  489 St Johns PL

132-  491 St Johns Pl

Engine 280/Ladder 132  489/491 St Johns Place, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn

   

   

   

 

[mack]

Bronx Divisions & Battalions Boundaries  -  1949-1978  -  pre-War Years and War Years:

1949:

   

1960:

   

1963:

   

1971:

   

1978:

   

 

[fdhistorian]

Ladder 132 had a different address than 280

280-  489 St Johns PL

132-  491 St Johns Pl

Engine 280/Ladder 132  489/491 St Johns Place, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn

The two addresses usually reflect that the single building spans two lots.  This is the case for many buildings but usually only one of the addresses is used.  Not a big deal for firehouses, but it is challenge when buildings have entrances on multiple streets or vanity addresses.

 

[mack]

Thanks for posting about 85/59 Joe.  I have always found this to be an interesting part of FDNY history, the quick construction of metal (Butler) buildings as Firehouses.  Isn't this just a few blocks from 82/31?  So different than what many of us are use to, having companies so close together.  But then again, none us "young guys" experienced or witnessed the "WAR YEARS"!

About 1/2 block North on Boston Rd. & 4 1/2 blocks East on 169th St to Intervale Ave.

85 was approximately 2200 ft from 82/31 and approx 2200 ft from 50/19. 

But that's nothing compared to Hudson, NY (Columbia County) which had 5 active firehouses on the same street within 4800 ft of each other into the 2000's.

Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow (N Tarrytown) (Westchester County) have seven firehouses within 1900 ft of each other in an area of 1/10 sq mile.

Still, technically, the closest firehouses are in NYC, with two firehouses,  built at different times, side by side, touching, so the distance between them is 0 ft!  (eg 73/42 and others)

Engine 46 and Ladder 27 had side-by-side identical firehouses constructed at 451/453 E 176th Street in the Bronx approximately 1895:

   

   

    Also quarters for Ladder 58 and Rescue 3.


Engine 46 1960 Ward LaFrance pumper:

   


Ladder 27:

   

   

 

[fdhistorian]

Thanks for posting about 85/59 Joe.  I have always found this to be an interesting part of FDNY history, the quick construction of metal (Butler) buildings as Firehouses.  Isn't this just a few blocks from 82/31?  So different than what many of us are use to, having companies so close together.  But then again, none us "young guys" experienced or witnessed the "WAR YEARS"!

About 1/2 block North on Boston Rd. & 4 1/2 blocks East on 169th St to Intervale Ave.

85 was approximately 2200 ft from 82/31 and approx 2200 ft from 50/19. 

But that's nothing compared to Hudson, NY (Columbia County) which had 5 active firehouses on the same street within 4800 ft of each other into the 2000's.

Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow (N Tarrytown) (Westchester County) have seven firehouses within 1900 ft of each other in an area of 1/10 sq mile.

Still, technically, the closest firehouses are in NYC, with two firehouses,  built at different times, side by side, touching, so the distance between them is 0 ft!  (eg 73/42 and others)

Engine 46 and Ladder 27 had side-by-side identical firehouses constructed at 451/453 E 176th Street in the Bronx approximately 1895:

    Also quarters for Ladder 58 and Rescue 3.

451 E 176th St, Engine 46 was constructed in 1895
453 E 176th St, Ladder 27 was constructed in 1904

The two separate but adjacent firehouses can be seen looking at the roofs from an overhead view.

 

[mack]

Engine 45/Ladder 58/Battalion 18 - side-by-side firehouses - 925/927 Tremont Avenue  Bronx

   

   


Engine 45 Mack:

   

 

[68jk09]

^^^^^^^ Also SQ*1 was on E 176 St after they moved from Harlem.

 

[scoobyd]

Paging thru an old E 43 company journal from 1962 once-  they went to E 46 on a relocate on almost every day that I looked at.

 

[enginecap]

IMHO there is not a better house on the job.  45,58 and the BN do as much work quality work as any other house in the city.    Great kitchen laughs and their pride is 2nd to none

 

[mikeindabronx]

IMHO there is not a better house on the job.  45,58 and the BN do as much work quality work as any other house in the city.    Great kitchen laughs and their pride is 2nd to none

Don't forget "Wayne The Flames" ashes

 

[mikeindabronx]

Engine 45/Ladder 58/Battalion 18 - side-by-side firehouses - 925/927 Tremont Avenue  Bronx

   

   


Engine 45 Mack:

   

? M.Dick

 

[scoobyd]

And the cherry on top for 45/58-  always good eats. 

 

[guitarman314]

Paging thru an old E 43 company journal from 1962 once-  they went to E 46 on a relocate on almost every day that I looked at.

  Back before 1969, Engines 38, 41, 42, 43, 48, 50, 81, 83, 89, 90 & 94 relocated and their firehouses were not filled. Engines 45, 46, 52, 60, 63, 64, 68, 70, 71, 73, 75, 79, 82, 92 & 97 were "must fill" companies.  Ladder companies 17*, 27, 31*, 33, 37, 39*, 41, 42, 44*, 47, 51*, 52*, & 53* were "must fill" companies although a couple did some relocating, those with an (*) were Key companies and never relocated.

 

[mikeindabronx]

And the cherry on top for 45/58-  always good eats.

Arthur Ave.