Fire Department Always Located Downtown

October is Fire Prevention Month.  National Fire Prevention Week is observed during the week in which October 9 falls in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire.  That fire burned for three days from October 8-10, 1871 destroying over 3 square miles of the city and taking approximately 300 lives.  Also on October 8, 1871 a fire in Wisconsin, known as the Peshtigo Fire, wiped out 16 towns, burned over a million acres and killed approximately 1500 people. 

 In remembrance of those events the Fire Marshals Association of North American began working to educate the public about the importance of fire prevention.  In 1925 President Calvin Coolidge signed a proclamation observing the first National Fire Prevention Week.

The first Brevard Fire Department was organized in the late 1800s.  The fire station was located between the courthouse and the McMinn building, in the middle of what is today N. Broad Street. 

The 1911 Sanborn map shows a small wooden building approximately 170 feet north of the intersection with Main St. labeled “Fire Dept.”  Additional information states, “Volunteer Co., chief & 14 men.  2 fire stations.  1 combination wagon with 60’ of ladders, 3 Babcock extinguishers & 800’ 2½” hose (stationed near court house).  1 cart at Southern depot with 500’ 2½” hose.  Bell alarm.”

There is also a small structure on the east side of the building labeled “Fire Bell.”  According to Transylvania Times articles from May 31, 1984 and July 4, 1988 the fire bell was purchased in May 1911 from the Cincinnati Bell Company for $155. 

At this time the Transylvania County Jail was in a brick building about 100’ west of the Fire Department.  In the early 1920s a new jail was built behind the Courthouse and Citizen’s Telephone Company moved into the old jail building.  Apparently the fire bell was moved to a platform beside the Telephone Company.  When a fire call was received, the operator could pull a lever to ring the bell and notify firemen and anyone near enough to hear it tolling.

Brevard Fire Department, 1925 American La France engine, 

photo taken by William Austin 1928

The 1924 Sanborn map shows the same building without the fire bell structure.  Information included reads, “Volunteer.  Chief & 15 men.  1 American LaFrance equipped Ford auto truck carrying 1000’ 2½” hose.  600’ in reserve.  Auto truck has 40 gallons chemical tank & hose.  Alarm bell.”

 In 1925 the fire department was reorganized and relocated to a new brick building on W. Main St. across from the present City Hall.  City offices were located on the second floor.

In the late 1920s or early 1930s the fire bell was replaced with a siren.  The bell was purchased by St. Philip’s Episcopal Church but never used.  They gave it to Grace Baptist Church who eventually returned it to the Fire Department in 1984.  The old bell is now in front of the Brevard Fire Department as a display.

Brevard Fire Department, 1946

By 1945 the fire department and City Hall had moved to the south side of W. Main St. into the building where the City Council meets today.  Fire Department information from the 1931 and 1945 Sanborn maps state, “1 paid chief & 2 paid drivers, one on duty at all times.  13 volunteers.  1 American La France triple combustion auto truck, capacity 750 gallons per minute.  1000’ 2½” hose.  40 gallon chemical tank & 150’ chemical hose.  1 hand reel carrying 300’ 2½” hose.  Total amount of good hose 2000’.  Alarm by telephone & siren on City Hall.”

The current Fire Department on the corner of W. Main and England streets was built in 1969.  Currently the Fire Department has two paid staff members from 8 am until 5 pm.  The remainder of the personnel is comprised of volunteer firefighters.

If you have information or photographs telling the story of Transylvania County’s Fire Departments in Balsam Grove, Cedar Mountain, Connestee, Lake Toxaway, Little River, North Transylvania or Rosman that you would like to share contact Marcy at the Library.

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library.  Visit the NC Room during regular library hours (Monday-Friday) to learn more about our history and see additional photographs.  For more information, comments or suggestions contact Marcy at marcy.thompson@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-3151 X242.