Oldest Continuously Operating Fire Stations
Before the days of the internet and the world wide web, the claim was made that the Laurel fire station was the oldest, continuously operating fire station in the United States. However, with the resources available to us with today's modern technology, we know that this is not true. The Laurel station is, however, one of the oldest continuously operating fire stations in the United States. Following are links to the known oldest fire stations still operating in the United States:
United Steam Fire Engine Company No. 3, Frederick, Maryland - Currently consisting of several additions and alterations, the facade of the original station building dates to 1848. There is very little of the original station remaining. 79 South Market Street, Frederick, MD.
Washington Fire Company No. 2, Madison Indiana - Completed in 1850, this simple building is one of the last remaining Greek Revival firehouses in the United States still in use. This is the oldest known continuously operating fire station in the United States. 104 West 3rd Street, Madison, IN.
Bristol Fire Company, Bristol, Pennsylvania - Built in 1857, this fire station is still in operation, although the fire apparatus is now housed in an addition next to the historic building. 238 Market Street, Bristol, PA.
FDNY Engine 26, Midtown Manhattan, New York, New York - Built around 1858, this fire station was originally constructed for the Valley Forge Hose Company, and turned over to the Metropolitan Fire Department when the volunteer fire service was terminated. 220 West 37th Street, Manhattan, New York.
Central Fire Station, Taunton, Massachusetts - Built in 1869, it is the oldest fire station still in use in Massachusetts. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. Taunton Fire Department web page. 40 School Street, Taunton, Massachusetts.
Engine Company 5, Provincetown, Massachusetts - This firehouse was built in 1870. It was one of several similar engine houses built in that era to expand the fire department. 514 Commercial Street, Provincetown, Massachusetts.
Peabody Central Fire Station, Peabody, Massachusetts - Built in 1873, the two story brick building has Victorian styling, with a mansard roof, and two truncated gables on its front facade. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Peabody Fire Department web page. 41 Lowell Street, Peabody, Massachusetts.
West Hill Engine 7, Albany, New York - The quarters of Engine 7 was opened in the latter part of 1874 and is the oldest building currently in use by the Department. 670 Clintion Avenue, Albany, New York.
Gorham Street Station, Lowell, Massachusetts - One of two early stations in Lowell, this station was built in 1875. 795 Gorham Street, Lowell, Massachusetts.
American Hose Company No. 2, Pottsville, Pennsylvania - Originally organized as the Rough & Ready Fire Company on June 30, 1848. The cornerstone of the station at 323 West Norwegian Street was laid on September 9, 1876. 323 West Norweigan Street, Pottsville, Pennsylvania.
Torrent Engine House, Lowell, Massachusetts - Known as "The West Point" of the Lowell FD, this station on Branch Street was built in 1877. 751 Lawrence Street, Lowell, Massachusetts.
Protection Engine Co. 1, Hastings-on-Hudson, New York - Founded in 1876, Protection Engine Co. 1 has been in this building since built in 1877. 573 Warburton Avenue, Hastings-on-Hudson, New York.
Links About the Station
Rex fire station drawing - York County History Center's online collection includes a Dempwolf architectural drawing of the Rex fire station.
Laurel-Rex station's Facebook page.
Wikipedia page on Laurel-Rex Fire Station York Town Square blog by Jim McClure - York, Pa.'s, Laurel and Rex firehouse: 'May it be preserved for all time' York Town Square blog by Jim McClure - Rex/Laurel, one of four York, Pa., operating fire stations, built a dozen years after Civil War York Town Square blog by Jim McClure - Part II: Rex/Laurel, one of four York, Pa., operating fire stations, built a dozen years after Civil War Other Links of Interest