WORLD'S OLDEST FIREHOUSE

[mack]

Guinness says 130-year-old Manistee firehouse is world's oldest​

It's official: Guinness says 130-year-old Manistee firehouse is world's oldest​

John L. Russell
Special to The Detroit News




Manistee — After two years and hundreds of research hours, the Manistee Fire Department was recognized this week by Guinness World Records as having the “oldest continuously manned operating fire station” in the world.

“Congratulations,” said the email that came to firefighter Fred LaPoint’s account. “You are Officially Amazing!”

“If I could, I would have done a backflip,” LaPoint said as the department celebrated the fire station’s 130th birthday Monday.

Always interested in history, LaPoint in 2017 began looking into whether any other firehouses had been in continuous service as long as the station at 1st and Hancock.

He contacted the record keeper at Guinness World Records in New York. Although they had no category for old firehouses, they suggested he do some research.

“For over two years, Fred would come in with questions and to do research. It became an obsession,” said Mark Fedder, executive director of the Manistee Historical Society, "With all of the volunteers who assisted Fred, this designation became a reality, and it will be a credit to the city for years to come.”



The massive stone building was constructed in 1888 after a forest fire destroyed most of the town. Three lumber mills had their own fire brigades, which were funded by subscription — and if you didn’t pay for fire protection, you had no assistance if a fire occurred.

Twenty years after Manistee's founding, the established the public fire service and built the building, which housed two steam fire engines pulled by horses and a living and sleeping floor. Seven full-time firefighters and a public safety director currently occupy the building.
LaPoint, who joined the department in 1979, says grain was found upstairs where it was stored to feed the horses that once pulled fire apparatus. There were remnants of a blacksmith shop.



At Monday's ceremony, a plaque was unveiled that commemorated the honor from Guinness. Tim Kozal, Director of Public Safety in Manistee, noted LaPointe's diligence in pursuing the title.

LaPointe, who is 65, will retire next month after more than 40 years as a firefighter and paramedic. He is shy, but proud of his efforts.

“This is a great honor for our dedicated firefighters and the city of Manistee,” said LaPoint. “I still have trouble believing we did this.”

It's official: Guinness says 130-year-old Manistee firehouse is world's oldest

The 130-year-old Manistee fire station was recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest continuously manned operating fire station” in the world

www.detroitnews.com

Manistee Township Fire Department | Manistee MI

Manistee Township Fire Department, Manistee, Michigan. 2,619 likes · 56 were here. Fire Department

www.facebook.com

 

[Capttomo]

Wow. Externally it looks to be in great shape

 

[Lebby]

Not too sure about that, I know York, PA Fire Department's Laurel/ Rex firehouse has been continuously in use since 1877 and they don't even claim to be to he oldest.

Laurel Fire Company - City of York, Pennsylvania

 

[fdhistorian]

Except for all of the continuously manned stations in Michigan and other states that are older . . . . .

Laurel/Rex does not make the claim because they are not the oldest.

 

[mack]

Not too sure about that, I know York, PA Fire Department's Laurel/ Rex firehouse has been continuously in use since 1877 and they don't even claim to be to he oldest.

Laurel Fire Company - City of York, Pennsylvania

Laurel–Rex Fire Company House - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[mack]

Taunton, MA 1869

Central Fire Station (Taunton, Massachusetts) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[fdhistorian]

Taunton, MA 1869

View attachment 31026

Central Fire Station (Taunton, Massachusetts) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

The little building with the cupola, to the right of Central Station by the flag, is actually the original station. It is attached. It last housed Hose Company 10.

 

[mack]

Boston MA Engine 33 Ladder 15 1887

Engine 33/Ladder 15 @ 941 Boylston St., Back Bay - Boston Fire Historical Society

This firehouse was opened on February 20, 1888 when Engine Company 33 and Ladder Company 15 were organized in this new firehouse. Engine 33 and Ladder 15 have remained here, […]

bostonfirehistory.org

LODDs Engine 33 Ladder 15




September 28, 1922 – Captain William C. Swan, Ladder Company 15, died in the Line-Of-Duty returning from a fire at 25-27 Holyoke Street, South End, Box 1552.




Hoseman Cornelius Noonan, age 47, Engine Company 33 On February 10, 1938, Hoseman Noonan died in the hospital from burns and the inhalation of smoke and gas, after working at a cellar fire in the J.J. Newbury’s Department Store at 180-194 Massachusetts Avenue, 3 alarms Box 1591 at 0622 hours, (Massachusetts Avenue & Norway Street) on January 30, 1938. Hoseman Noonan had 20 years service.




Died from injuries received in the performance of duty when part of the Henry Street side of the building collapsed, some members were trapped for hours and over forty (40) members were injured, some never returned to duty. It took hours to remove all the dead and injured. Cold temperatures hampered the efforts of the firefighters and the fire was still burning in sections of the building. Also the 1941 American La France 125’ aerial ladder truck of Ladder Co.8 (“The White Elephant”) was badly damaged. Hoseman Foley had 30 years, Hoseman Macomber had 24 years, Hoseman Reddington had 19 years, Hoseman McMorrow had 19 years, Ladderman McGuire had 19 years and Hoseman Degan had 15 months of service. The alarms were sounded from Box 6153 at 0227 hours, 0305 hours, 0324 hours, 0420 hours and the 5th alarm at 0435 hours.





Fire Fighter Richard Concannon, age 38, Ladder Company 15 On January 23, 1961, Fire Fighter Concannon died from the inhalation of smoke and gas, while operating at Box 1537, (Berkeley & Marlborough Streets), during a fire at 31 Marlborough Street, Back Bay, at 2134 hours. Fire Fighter Concannon had 13 years of service.




On June 17, 1972, a fire broke out at the Hotel Vendome on Commonwealth Avenue. It would be the first of four alarms required to extinguish the raging fire It took nearly three hours to stop the blaze. Firefighter Richard Magee, along with eight other firefighters were killed without warning from a collapse during overhaul.




Fire Lieutenant Steven F. Minehan, age 44, Ladder Company 15 On June 24, 1994, Lt. Minehan died in a very large warehouse while searching for trapped firefighters. He became lost and ran out of air at 44 Charles River Ave., Charlestown. 9 alarms were transmitted from Box 4113, (City Square near Main Street). He probably died from inhalation of smoke and gases as his face piece was off when he was found. Fire Lieutenant Minehan had 20 years of service.





Fire Lieutenant Edward J. Walsh, age 43, Engine Company 33 Fire Fighter Michael R. Kennedy, age 33, Ladder Company 15 (detailed to Engine Company 33.) On March 26, 2014, Fire Lieutenant Walsh and Fire Fighter Kennedy died from the inhalation of smoke, heat and gases at a basement fire in a 4/5-story brownstone residential building at 298 Beacon Street, Back Bay, 9 alarms, Box 1579 (Beacon & Exeter Streets). The fire eventually extended to the roof of the building, aided by high winds, gusting to 60mph, blowing across the Charles River toward the rear of the building. Fire Fighter Kennedy was removed shortly after becoming trapped in the basement. Fire Lieutenant Walsh’s remains were removed several hours later. Fire Lieutenant Walsh had 9 ½ years service. Fire Fighter Kennedy had 6 years service



Boston Firehouses - active and historic

Firehouses

Active Firehouses Former Firehouses (Extant) Former Firehouses (Non-Extant)

bostonfirehistory.org

 

[mack]

FDNY Engine 26 quarters 220 W 37th St were originally built in 1860 and was the firehouse of NYFD volunteer Valley Forge Engine 46 (pre-FDNY).
(Engine 26 was disbanded Jul. 2, 1975 to Jul. 19, 1975, so maybe "continually manned" might be a technicality, as in other departments' 19th century-built firehouses.)



Engine 26/Engine 26-2 firehouse 220 W 37th Street Garment District, Manhattan

Engine 26 organized 220 W 37th Street 1865
(Note - former quarters of volunteer Valley Forge Engine Company 46 built 1860)
Engine 26 moved to 501/503 7th Avenue 1881
Engine 26 moved to 220 W 37th Street 1882
Engine 26 disbanded 1975
Engine 26 reorganized 220 W 37th Street 1975
Engine 26 moved to 440 W 38th Street 2001
Engine 26 moved to 220 W 37th Street 2002

Engine 26-2 organized 220 W 37th Street at Engine 26 1884
Engine 26-2 disbanded to form Engine 34-2 1893
Engine 26-2 reorganized 1894
Engine 26-2 disbanded 1939

Valley Forge Engine 46: "Foreman, Francis E. Skelding. Located 138 West Thirty-seventh street; performs duty in the first and second districts. House in good condition; steam engine, second class, 7-inch steam cylinder, 8-inch stroke, and 9-inch pump, in good condition; built in 1859, by Lee & Larned; present number of men, 47; 150 feet of Boyd's and 300 feet of rubber hose, in good condition; 200 feet of leather hose in ordinary condition. This company also have a wood tender in good condition." Status report from The History Box: Manual of the Corporation of the City of New York by D.T. Valentine 1865
















Engine LODD's

FIREFIGHTER	HARRY F. BAKER	ENGINE 26	February 26, 1907
FIREFIGHTER	ADAM DAMM	ENGINE 26	February 26, 1907
FIREFIGHTER	GEORGE FARRELL (2)	ENGINE 26	February 13, 1912
LIEUTENANT	CHARLES J. MURPHY	ENGINE 26	January 9, 1918
FIREFIGHTER	ADRIAN CURNEN	ENGINE 26	June 18, 1922
FIREFIGHTER	WILLIAM J. AEILLO	ENGINE 26	March 30, 1923
FIREFIGHTER	JULIUS SPANIER	ENGINE 26	March 30, 1923

* BATTALION CHIEF	THOMAS FARINO	ENGINE 26	September 11, 2001
FIREFIGHTER	DANA HANNON	ENGINE 26	September 11, 2001
FIREFIGHTER	ROBERT SPEAR JR	ENGINE 26	September 11, 2001

FDNY ENGINE 26



Nicknamed “The Batcave” for the emblem painted on the floor on the walkway inside, this particular fire station has been an active part of the FDNY’s network since 1865. Previously, it had been a Metropolitan Fire station starting in 1861, and before that it was run by volunteer firefighters. Firefighter Alex Laird was kind enough to give the Manhattan Sideways team a full tour of the historic building. The establishment is so old that it used to house horse drawn engines. Some of the original architecture still remains, most notably the spiral staircase that now sits alongside the modern fireman’s pole. Sadly, this firehouse lost five members in the attacks on 9/11. The station still has the original flag and radio from that day and has them on display out of respect for their fallen brothers.
("The Batcave" Fire House at 220 West 37th Street)

FDNY Engine 26 - Manhattan Sideways

sideways.nyc

 

[mack]

Philadelphia PA Engine 37 Chestnut Hill 1894

City’s oldest firehouse gets new garage, modern amenities​

October 27, 2022

City officials, project partners and community members celebrated the completion of a three-year, $10 million renovation and expansion of Engine 37, the oldest continuously operated firehouse in Philadelphia.

The historic 19th-century building in Chestnut Hill now has 21st-century amenities and safety upgrades, as well as a new garage with doors wide enough for today’s fire engines.

City’s oldest firehouse gets new garage, modern amenities | Philadelphia Fire Department

The PFD celebrated a three-year, $10 million modernization of Engine 37, the oldest continually operated firehouse in Philly.

www.phila.gov

Engine 37​

The first attempt to provide fire protection to the Chestnut Hill section of the city was made during 1872. Hand Engine A was organized with one member, Hoseman George W. Shannon. The company was assigned two pieces of apparatus. A hand-drawn, hand-operated pumping engine and a hose cart equipped with 750 feet of leather hose. If dispatched to an alarm, the company would be assisted by volunteers from the neighborhood. Hand Engine A was disbanded during 1881.

Engine 37

The first attempt to provide fire protection to the Chestnut Hill section of the city was made during 1872. Hand Engine A was organized with one member, Hoseman George W. Shannon. The company was assigned two pieces of apparatus. A hand-drawn, hand-operated pumping engine and a hose cart

www.firemanshallmuseum.org

Historic Philadelphia Firehouses

Historic and Former Phildelphia Firehouses by Mike Legeros

 

[mack]

Chicago IL Engine 98 202 E. Chicago Avenue

Engine Co. 98​

Unusual in more ways than one, the castle-like fire station housing Engine Company 98 and Ambulance 11 is the only active firehouse in the city with landmark status. It is also one of the few that continue to use the original brass sliding poles. Dating back to 1904 and originally known as Hose Company Number 2, the two story limestone and brick building is the youngest of the three buildings comprising the Old Chicago Water Tower District.

Designed by architect C.F. Hermann in a style echoing medieval castles, the firehouse has been in continual use for over 100 years. What was once a stable is now the kitchen, and the former second-floor hayloft has been transformed into a weight room just off the bunk room. There is also a hose tower designed to accommodate several 50 ft long hoses. The firefighters live, sleep, and eat at the station during their shifts.

Though one of the most visible firehouse in the city, it is not the oldest. That title belongs to Engine Company 18, founded in 1873, though it is no longer in use.

The fire station is very much open to the public, with school groups, neighbors, and tourists from all over the world stopping by whenever the doors are open.

Engine Co. 98 | Accidentally Wes Anderson

This Chicago Fire station, built in 1904, was inspired by medieval castles and is still in use today.

accidentallywesanderson.com

Engine 98 LODD Never forget



Incident Summary. On January 26, 1986, Chicago Fire Department Lieutenant Edmond Coglianese of Engine 98 died in the line of duty during a fire in the Mark Twain Hotel at 111 W. Division Street.







Forgotten Chicago - Disused Fire Stations

Disused Fire Stations Part 1 – 19th Century | Forgotten Chicago | History, Architecture, and Infrastructure

 

[mack]

Baltimore MD Engine 14 1888

134 years of service to the citizens of southwest Baltimore! The oldest operating firehouse in Baltimore City.

BCFD Engine 14

BCFD Engine 14, Балтимор. Отметки "Нравится": 8 806 · Обсуждают: 230 · Посетили: 634. Unofficial page of BCFD Engine 14

www.facebook.com

Legeros Historic Baltimore Firehouses

Historic and Former Baltimore Firehouses by Mike Legeros

BALTIMORE FIREHOUSES : AN INVENTORY OF THE OLD ONES.​

Old Baltimore City Firehouses with Photos | Kilduffs.net

A collection of photographs of all the old Baltimore City Fire Stations of those buildings still standing and many converted to other uses.

kilduffs.net

 

[mack]

Detroit MI Engine 35 111 Kenilworth Street 1898

















Legeros Detroit History of Fire Stations

https://www.legeros.com/history/detroit/detroit-firehouses.pdf

 

[mack]

Oldest continuously active FDNY firehouses:

NYC:
Engine 26 - 220 W 37th Street
- former quarters of volunteer Valley Forge Engine Company 46
- built 1860






Boros

Manhattan:
Engine 26 220 West 37th Street - 1860 - former volunteer firehouse


Engine 5 340 East 14th Street - April 21, 1864 - former volunteer firehouse



Brooklyn:
Engine 218 650 Hart Street - December 1, 1887 - former City of Brooklyn firehouse


Engine 226 409 State Street - January 9, 1889 - former City of Brooklyn firehouse


Engine 228 436 39th Street - December 30, 1891 - former City of Brooklyn firehouse


Staten Island:
Ladder 79 1189 Castleton Avenue - January 1, 1904 - former volunteer firehouse


Engine 156 412 Broadway - June 1, 1909


Bronx:
Engine 73 - November 1, 1900


Engine 62/Ladder 32 - December 12, 1903


Squad (Engine ) 41 330 East 150th Street - April 4, 1904


Engine 43/Ladder 59 1901 Sedgwick Avenue - May 1, 1904



Queens:
Engine 258/Ladder 115 10-40 47th Street - September 3, 1904


Engine 263/Ladder 117 42/06 Astoria Boulevard - May 1, 1909



Notes:
- Manhattan - Metropolitan Fire Department (became FDNY) replaced volunteer companies - 1865
- Bronx - FDNY expanded intro Bronx - 1874
- Brooklyn - Brooklyn Fire Department replaced volunteer town departments - 1869
- became part of NYC -1898
- FDNY expanded into Brooklyn - 1898
- Queens - became part of NYC - 1898
- FDNY expanded into Queens - 1898
- Staten Island - became part of NYC - 1898
- FDNY expanded into SI - 1905

FDNY and NYC Firehouses and Fire Companies

Summary of Long Island City Fire Department, 1891-1898:

www.nycfire.net

 

[mack]

Buffalo NY Engine 19 209 Forest Ave. 1887

Engine 19 is the oldest continual operating firehouse in Buffalo.




























OLD FIREHOUSES BUFFALO NY

Photography of Buffalo, NY - old firehouses of buffalo

Old firehouses in Buffalo, NY. A photo collection of all the remaining historic fire stations still found in Buffalo.

buffalophotoblog.com

​

BUFFALO FIREFIGHTERS​

OUR FIRE STATIONS​

Our Fire Stations – Buffalo Fire Fighters

buffalofirefighters.com

 

[Lt. Q]

1864, wouldn’t that make E 5 the oldest (continually manned) firehouse.