19 was on ogden ave before they were closed and reorganized with 96 engine.
Actually, no. Ladder 19 was originally organized on Ogden Ave in 1880 but was disbanded to form E68 in 1898. Some months later L19 reorganized and occupied its own single house on Forest Avenue in Morrisania. In 1929 it relocated with the new E96.
This firehouse was built in anticipation of development of that part of The East Bronx, which stalled by the onset of the Great Depression. By 1935 the department realized there was greater need for a ladder company in Morrisania. L32 had moved up to Gun Hill Rd in 1928 and so L19 returned, taking up 32s old residence with E50.
The 96/19 Walker firehouse was built in 1929 on what was then known as Eastern Boulevard. That road was widened in the late 30s to resemble the Grand Concourse, Northern Boulevard, etc., to serve as a major approach to the new Triborough Bridge. (The boulevard was then renamed for one of Robert Moses' cronies.) The firehouse was literally moved back some 20' but in doing so the foundation was compromised and by the 1960s the entire structure was in failure. Hence a new house around the block on Story Ave and new L54 in 1966 to serve the high rise buildings and population.
