Plaza Firehouse - Los Angeles, CA
Posted by: saopaulo1
N 34° 03.362 W 118° 14.329
11S E 385669 N 3769060
Historic firehouse, now a musem
Waymark Code: WM47FQ
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 07/18/2008
Views: 43
"The Plaza Fire Station was built in 1884 at a cost of $4,665.
The Plaza Firehouse was the first building to be constructed by the City of Los Angeles for housing fire fighting equipment and personnel. The City Council hired architect William Boring to design the structure which was built by Dennis Hennessy. Boring's design followed closely a fashion then current in his native Illinois, with the horses stabled inside the station as was the custom in colder climates. A unique turntable in the floor made it unnecessary to back the horses in or out. Construction began in May, 1884 and was completed by mid-August. Firehouse No. 1 opened for business in September that same year.
For the first two years the station housed 38's Engine Company No.1. The volunteer fire companies also used the area to stage the parades, holiday fireworks displays, monthly inspections and periodic musters which helped to stimulate civic pride. This and the fact that the volunteers continually bickered amongst themselves and some of the companies acted in too independent a fashion, led to the establishment, in December 1885, of the city's first paid Fire Department. The council appointed Walter S. Moore as Fire Chief and the new Board of Fire Commissioners installed another steam engine company (Walter S. Moore Company No. 4) at the Plaza Firehouse with a seven man crew while the Volunteer 38's moved elsewhere or disbanded." (
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