Library Preserves Firefighting History

Firefighters used Duke Power Company's "cherry picker"
 to reach the fire in the Henning Inn attic on March 23, 1967.

The Local History Room worked with the Brevard Fire Department’s to preserve materials from their collection.   Photographs were scanned and added to the collection at the Library.  Included were pictures of personnel, equipment, trainings, and fires mainly from the mid-to late 1900s.  

Additional informational materials were photocopied and added to Brevard Fire Department folder.

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

In 1925 the fire department was reorganized and relocated to a new brick building on W. Main St. across from the present City Hall.  By 1945 they had moved into the building where the City Council Chambers current are located on the south side of W. Main St.  The present Fire Department building, on the corner of W. Main and England streets, was constructed in 1969.

Firefighter training.

The Brevard Fire Department covers an area of approximately 100 square miles, including the city of Brevard, the Williamson Creek area, the Brevard Music Center and the Pisgah National Forest to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Pisgah Inn.  They have four engines, two tankers, a ladder truck, a heavy rescue unit and a brush unit.

If other Transylvania County organizations have materials, particularly photographs, that they are interested in preserving for future generations the Local History staff and volunteers at the Library would be glad to assist.

Can you help identify any of these Brevard Jr. Firefighters?
The photo was taken on Probart St. in front of the Brevard Presbyterian Church.

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.