ca. 1889. Tacoma's Fire Station No. 4 was located at 407 E. 26th Street from 1889-1911. In this photograph, a 1889 Silsby 2nd size (700 gpm) rotary pump drawn by three horses and a W.T.Y Schneck hose wagon with two horses are on display in front of the station. The "Our Boys 1887" lettering below the bell tower acknowledged the "Our Boys" volunteer organization. In 1889, H. L. Knoell was listed as Captain in charge of the six-man company; this photograph may have been taken somewhat later as there are now nine firemen present. Engineers made roughly $90 a month with hosemen being paid $70 and drivers $75. The Fire Department Chief was paid approximately $125 monthly. Engine Co. No. 4 was to remain at the 407 E. 26th St. location until June, 1911, when it moved into a new two-story brick station a few blocks away at 224 E. 26th. (100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 18, 20, 52). TPL-393

Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Fire stations--Tacoma--1880-1890; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma; Horses--Tacoma;

ca. 1915. Signage decorate the motorized fleet of the Tacoma Fire Department parked outside Station No. 6. Residents are warned not to issue false alarms and to turn off electrical equipment when not used. Another helpful hint provided by the Fire Department was to clean the moss off roofs before dry weather. Regarding the hazards of smoking: thousands of dollars of damage was caused by a lighted cigarette thrown in a pile of oily rags. The vehicles may have been prepped for use in a parade as several flags are mounted on both front and rear fenders.

Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Fire stations--Tacoma--1910-1920; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma; Signs (Notices);

ca. 1917. Although many stations still used horses, this American LaFrance 1000 gpm pumper was motorized. It was parked, driver on board, at Station No. 2. The age of the horse was nearly over for the Tacoma Fire Department; by 1919, the department was completely motorized. (100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washingtonp. 56-57, 59)

Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma;

ca. 1910. Horses played an important role in early Tacoma firefighting as this turn-of-the-20th Century photograph illustrates. The firefighting team is in front of Engine House No. 5 which was built in 1890 at 1215 So. I Street. The horses were fed well on oats, bran and carrots; their medical needs were taken care of by a veterinarian and medicines. By the turn of the century, the department had 33 horses working side-by-side with firefighters. This team of horses pictured here in a 1910 sepia photograph may be pulling a 1910 Metropolitan 2nd Size 550 gpm double pump. Tacoma Fire Department Collection. (100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 33)

Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Fire stations--Tacoma--1910-1920; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1910-1920; Horses--Tacoma;

ca. 1907. Men and equipment of Fire Station No. 2, ca. 1907. The station was located at 2701 Tacoma Avenue So. and built in mid-1907. A 1889 Hayes 65' aerial was assigned to Truck Co. No. 2 along with a Continental 2nd size steam fire engine, 700 gpm, and a hose wagon No. 2, 1890 California apparatus. The fire station is still in use at the same location in 2004. It is on both the City and National Registries. Photograph from the collection of retired Tacoma Fire Department member, William Turner.

Tacoma Fire Department, Fire Station No. 2 (Tacoma); Fire stations--Tacoma; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma;

ca. 1910. Sepia photograph of 1910 Seagrave Auto-chemical. This appears to be a combination hose and chemical wagon, possibly one of the 80 horsepower units. The wagon is elaborately decorated with painted designs. There is room for two men seated at front, one behind the wheel, and a running board for several others to climb aboard and hang on. This is believed to be a Tacoma Fire Department wagon; lettering on the side indicates " F T D Chemical Engine." No company number is listed.

Fire engines & equipment;

ca. 1911. Engine House No. 5 at 1215-17 South I Street. Engine House No. 5 received an 80-horsepower Seagrave combination hose and chemical wagon in 1911. The station was in service from 1890 to 1935. (Talbot & Decker, 100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny, Tacoma, Washington, p. 52, p. 18)

Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Tacoma Fire Department, Fire Station No. 5 (Tacoma);

ca. 1890. Copy negative of a Tacoma Fire Department horse-drawn steam pumper, circa 1890.

Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1890-1900;

ca. 1913. This photograph from July, 1913 shows the Engine Company No. 1 fire station at 209-211 Saint Helens Avenue. The bunting and other decorations on the station appear to be for the Montamara Festo which was held in Tacoma over the 4th of July holiday every year from 1912 to 1922. The highlight of the festival was a series of automobile races held at a race track close to the present Clover Park Vocational Center. The two fire trucks framed by the open station doors are a Seagrave combination hose and chemical wagon on the left, and a 1907 Seagrave, 75 foot aerial truck, Tacoma's first motorized fire truck, on the right. Above the doors can be seen a model Fiat racing car being driven by "Tige", the mascot of the Tacoma Tigers. "Tige" was created by cartoonist Edward "Tige" Reynolds when he worked as an editorial cartoonist for the Tacoma Daily Ledger.

Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Fire stations--Tacoma--1910-1920; Murals--Tacoma;

ca. 1907. Engine & Truck Co. No. 2. This sepia photograph is dated approximately 1907. The men of Engine & Truck Co. No. 2 stand proudly with their new Continental steam fire engine, 2nd size, 700 gpm. 1907 also saw Truck Co. No. 2 obtain the 1889 Hayes 65' aerial formerly belonging to Truck Co. No. 1, who had purchased a 75' Seagrave aerial. The firefighting apparatus was still pulled by sturdy horses. Engine Co. No. 2 and Truck Co. No. 2 were in new quarters that year with a station built at 2701 Tacoma Avenue South. (100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 42)

Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma; Horses--Tacoma;

ca. 1899. Engine Co. No. 6 opened on 9th & A Street in 1891. The station also housed Chemical Engine Co. No. 1. The headquarters station cost approximately $24,400. Captain William J. Chisholm led his company of five men; he may have been one of the men standing next to the horse-drawn engines in this sepia photograph. View of flower bedecked wagons and engines outside the two-story brick station; this is probably the 4th of July celebratory parade. (100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 22)

Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1890-1900; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1890-1900;

Harness gleaming and bedecked in garlands, the huge bays of Chemical Engine Co. No. 1 were ready to participate in the Tacoma Rose Carnival Parade on June 22,1905 . The parade was just one of the many activities in the three day festival which included band concerts, water pageants, a children's parade and a carnival ball. Chemical Co. No. 1, Engine Co. No. 1, and the hook and ladder Co. No. 1 from the Saint Helens station were chosen to represent the Tacoma Fire Department during the parade. Chief George McAlevy had wanted to furnish a larger display but reconsidered due to the city's need in case of fires. Chemical Engine Co. No. 1 was housed in the Fire Department headquarters at 9th & A Streets in downtown Tacoma. It would remain there until 1916 when it was put out of service. Photograph taken on June 22, 1905, by B. Waters. (Tacoma Daily News, 6-21-05, p. 3, Tacoma Daily News, 6-22-05, p. 1)

Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Fire fighters--Tacoma--1900-1910; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma; Horses--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1900-1910; Rose Carnival (Tacoma);

In October of 1920, Al McCoy, one of the last farriers working in Tacoma posed beside "Big John," the veteran fire horse of the Tacoma Fire Department and one of McCoy's steady customers for 20 years. Mr. McCoy worked at the John A. Andrews Blacksmith Shop, located at 1330-32 Commerce St. "Big John" waited patiently for Mr. McCoy to fit his new shoes. He was no longer needed to pull Tacoma's fire wagons and Mrs. W.R. Rust and the Tacoma Humane Society had narrowly saved him from being sent to a glue factory. (TDL 10/3/1920 p.B-4) G66.1-119

Blacksmiths--Tacoma; McCoy, Al; John A. Andrews Blacksmith Shop (Tacoma); Forge shops--Tacoma; Horses--Tacoma--1920-1930;

This is Truck Co. No. 2 with their 1913 Seagrave 75-foot aerial in front of Engine House No. 2. The driver was Harry Ketler and tillerman Jim Turner. Others were not identified. The hose tower is in view. Note the planked roadway that is Tacoma Avenue South. St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church is next door to the fire station. (Talbot & Decker: 100 Years of Firefighting, Tacoma, Washington, p. 53)

Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Fire stations--Tacoma--1910-1920; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1910-1920; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1910-1920; St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church (Tacoma);

Work continues on the installation of equipment aboard the new Tacoma Fire Boat No. 1 in June of 1929. One unidentified man is standing on top of a Sterling-Viking gasoline engine carefully monitoring the lowering of what possibly is a pump. After the fire boat's successful launching on June 8th, the vessel was moved to a Port of Tacoma pier where five engines were to be installed as well as four centrifugal pumps. This was Tacoma's first fire boat, officially known as Tacoma Fire Boat No. 1, with a hull of 95 1/2 feet, 21 1/2 beam and 6-foot draft. G26.1-042 (TDL 6-8-29, p. 1-article; Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 6-9-29, p. 1-article)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1920-1930; Boat engines;

This group of Tacoma firemen may have gathered in support of the Near East relief in December of 1927. Americans were asked to donate one Sunday's meal expenses toward this charitable endeavor. Tacoma had been awarded the title "Golden Rule City of America" in 1926 by virtue of its generous donations. G25.1-094

Fire fighters--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Eating & drinking--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The newly formed Browns Point volunteer fire department tried out their new equipment on one of the Point cottages on March 15, 1925. Their equipment included two portable hose reels, 1,000 feet of 2 1/2 inch double-jacketed hose, two portable chemical tanks and a motor driven siren. Water was available through six hydrants placed at convenient locations in the city. The volunteer fire department included Chief Oscar Brown, Allie Hoska, Fred Schenck, Ed McClure, Jerry Meeker, Will Burrows, Vic Bjorklund, Rolla Gilman, Clint Hull, Bill Wharton, Fred Allstrum, Bob Gleason Jr., Andy Wingard and Bob Gleason Sr. (TNT 3/17/1925, pg. 22) Boland-A7134, TPL-705

Fire fighters--Browns Point; Firefighting equipment--Browns Point;

Firefighters W.C. Harbin (driver) and S.J. Pollard are aboard Engine Company # 6 engine in February of 1924. They staffed the headquarters for the Tacoma Fire Department, located at South 9th & A Streets in downtown Tacoma. Company # 6's pump motor had been built in city shops. In 1924 Tacoma had twelve fire stations and the Fire Department had a staff of 145 employees. (print has been torn) (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 2-17-24, G-1)

Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Fire stations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1920-1930; Pollard, S.J.; Harbin, W.C.;

ca. 1923. Three members of the Tacoma Fire Department are pictured in this early 1920's photograph with a Tacoma built engine. It is possible that this is the 1910 Seagrave Combination Hose and Chemical wagon attached to the Engine Co. No. 6. The hose wagon was rebuilt in 1922. (Talbot: 100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 62)

Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma;

This display of fireworks at the 1924 4th of July celebration held in Tacoma's Stadium Bowl fully expressed what the people of Tacoma thought the correct name should be for our mountain. Tacomans waged an ultimately fruitless battle against the name "Mount Rainier" for Pierce County's majestic mountain. Residents insisted that the original Native American name, "Tacoma," be reinstated and references in local newspapers always referred to "Mt. Tacoma." TPL-308; G20.1-032

Fireworks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Celebrations--Tacoma--1920-1930;

On May 12, 1924, seven Clement Avenue District women received instructions, behind the United Presbyterian Church at So. 66th and Clement Avenue, in handling an emergency fire hose cart.. The South Tacoma women were expected to handle any fires which might occur during the day while the men of the district were at work. The women in the fire brigade were identified in the Tacoma Daily Ledger as: (l to r) Mrs. C.W. Stromberg, Mrs. M. L. Gilbertson, Mrs. George Bates, Miss J. Alstead, Mrs. Frank Mazzini, Mrs. M. Nelson and Mrs. Douglas Price. (TDL 5-13-24, p. 2) TPL-710

Fire fighters--Tacoma; Hoses;

An old tenement building, scheduled for demolition, was used for training purposes by the Tacoma Fire Department as a practice burn in April of 1961. Eleven small fires were set, then put out, before the building was allowed to burn down. Fifteen fire departments from King and Pierce Counties participated in the day-long training exercise. attracting crowds of curious onlookers. (TNT, 4/17/1961, p. 1) Trueblood #459

Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Abandoned buildings--Tacoma; Building deterioration--Tacoma--1960-1970;

The Tacoma Fire Department provided ladders and the Safeway stores supplied scaffolding when members of the Painters Union, local # 64 and members of the Tacoma Junior Chamber of Commerce took on the project of painting Tacoma's totem pole at South 9th & A Street in 1955. By official proclamation, Mayor Harold M. Tollefson had declared May 8-14, 1955 "Clean up, fix up, paint up" week in Tacoma. This annual event encouraged citizens to clean out their basements, attics and yards and dispose of excess items. The re-painting of the totem pole was the project chosen to kick off the campaign. Local # 64 had already painted the totem pole once before in April of 1948.

Totem poles--Tacoma; Painting--Tacoma; Community service--Tacoma--1950-1960; Laborers--Tacoma; Painters Union Local No. 64 (Tacoma); Labor unions--Tacoma; Urban beautification--Tacoma--1950-1960; Scaffolding--Tacoma; Fire engines & equipment;

ca. 1955. View in 1955 of the tall doors to the garage bay where the fire engines are stored at Tacoma Fire Department's Engine Company #17. A reader notes that although signage over the doors indicated that Truck Co. #5 also operated from this station, the Tacoma Fire Department never established a staffed Truck 5 out of this station or anywhere else and still operates to this day with only four ladder companies city-wide. In addition to room for a thousand gallon pump truck and 75 ft aerial ladder truck, the building contained accommodations for 18 firemen and six officers. Lighting in the apparatus room came from large clerestory windows. Radiant heating panels were installed in the floors over which the trucks stood, to keep them warm and ready in all types of weather. The station had an enclosed outside garden court adjacent to the living quarters. It was closed when Engine Co. #17 moved to Fircrest. (TNT 1/9/1955) (Additional information provided by a reader)

Fire stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Fire Department, Engine Company #17 (Tacoma);

ca. 1955. Nalley Valley Fire Station, Engine Company #17 located in the industrial section near So. 35th St. and Union Ave. The station was designed by Robert Billsbrough Price, architect, of frame construction. It contained an area of 5,200 sq. ft. The outside was dark stained textured plywood contrasting with light colored stucco. It was Tacoma's first one floor fire station. The station began operation in March of 1955. Information received from a reader indicates that this station is now closed. Engine #17 was relocated to the City of Fircrest's fire station and that station re-designated as Station #17 when Tacoma assumed fire protection responsibility for Fircrest. The building at 3471 South 35th still exists and remains owned by the Tacoma Fire Department. It has been heavily remodeled and no longer resembles a fire station from street view. (TNT 1/9/1955) (Additional information obtained from a reader)

Fire stations--Tacoma--1950-1960;Tacoma Fire Department, Engine Company #17 (Tacoma);

The Gig Harbor fire department's trucks, firemen and firefighting apparatus posed for a November 2, 1955, evening photograph, outside a local Chevrolet dealership. In 1955, the volunteer fire department of Pierce County Fire District #5, headed by fire chief Charles L. Summers, answered 14 calls with only one major fire. One new and one used truck, perhaps the ones shown in the above picture, were added to help firefighters. A new station was built in Arletta to cut down on the time to answer calls. Firefighters presumably would have taken care of fires and other emergencies in the peninsula area. Photograph ordered by the Gig Harbor Firemen's Association. (TNT 1-22-56, B-7)

Fire engines & equipment--Gig Harbor; Fire fighters--Gig Harbor; Gig Harbor Firemen's Association (Gig Harbor); Automobile dealerships--Gig Harbor--1950-1960;

The plant formerly occupied by the Tacoma Sash & Door Co. on the Tideflats was destroyed by a $400,000, 2 hour fire on May 9, 1959. The building had been abandoned by the previous company and was now occupied by 8 smaller businesses, including Nordlund & Silva Boat Co., Educators Manufacturing, Nu Life Fertilizer, City Millwork, General Hardwood Co. and Thunderbird Water Ski Co. All of the businesses suffered extensive losses, most were insured to some extent. The fire was started by an oil burner and tank that were installed without the Fire Department's knowledge. Three-fourths of the sprinkler system had been turned off a few days before the fire due to its leakage on desks stored in the plant by Educators Manufacturing. Firefighters kept the flames from spreading to surrounding plants. (TNT 5/9/1959, pg. 1; 5/10/1959, pg. 1, TNT 5/19/1959, pg. 3)

Fires--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Sash & Door Co. (Tacoma);

Tacoma firemen bravely try to contain the blaze at the buildings formerly occupied by the Tacoma Sash & Door Co. on the Tideflats. Over 21 firemen were treated on the scene for smoke inhalation, exhaustion and acid burns. The fire was fought by sixteen companies aided by a fireboat and off duty fireman. The fire did over $400,000 in damage to the structure and the inventories of the eight small businesses that occupied the buildings. (TNT 5/9/1959, pg. 1 & 5/10/1959, pg. 1)

Fires--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Sash & Door Co. (Tacoma);

Firemen pause in the fight against the raging fire that destroyed the plant formerly occupied by the Tacoma Sash & Door Co. Firemen from 16 companies answered the call that came at around 11:30a.m. on May 9, 1959 to fight the fire on the Tideflats. Firemen battled the blaze for more than two hours before containing it. The building, which was occupied by eight small businesses, was totally destroyed. (TNT 5/9/1959, pg. 1 & 5/10/1959, pg. 1)

Fires--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Sash & Door Co. (Tacoma);

The raging fire at the old Tacoma Sash & Door Co. plant broke out in a building where several people employed by Nordlund & Silva Boat Co. were working on small pleasure boats. All individuals escaped without injury. However, in the two hour fight to contain the blaze, 21 fireman were overcome by smoke or exhaustion or suffered acid burns. The flames at time shot to an estimated 150 feet in height, fed by the mahogany, school desks and fertilizer stored at the plant. (TNT 5/9/1959, pg. 1, 5/10/1959, pg. 1)

Fires--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Sash & Door Co. (Tacoma);