Fire Stations of Texas

[MFDPhoto1]

Dallas, TX - 1909 Station No. 11
still in use today

When Station #11 opened in 1909 at Cedar Springs Road and Reagan Street, its ornate gray brick facade became a focal point for the community, drawing both young and old for a cup of coffee, chats with firefighters and looks at firefighting apparatus. The station has been designated as a historical landmark and as such the Fire Department completely remodeled this station in 1985, at a cost of $600,000. During the remodeling an additional 1,000 square feet was added brining the total area to 10,561 square feet.

Considered the first "suburban" fire station in Dallas, #11 was designed by architects Hubbell and Green. They designed other notable Dallas buildings: First Church of Christ Scientist and the Scottish Rite Temple. Reflecting American Prairie style architectural influence, Station #11 was built as a sister station to Station #5 or "Old Tige," built at the turn of the century across from the Fair Park and now housing the Dallas Firefighters Museum. These two stations are the last of their kind in Dallas.

Originally known as No. 4 Hook and Ladder, referring to companies who carried ladders and ceiling hooks (pike poles), Station #11 housed a Silsby steam engine (with iron wheels and carrying copper-riveted leather hose), a ladder company, some horses and a fire dog. Several features built in Station #11 not in today's stations include a hose well drying rack that hoists the hose up for drying after use, and apparatus room doors that open from the side instead of bottom-to-top.

In the 1960's the station's community, known as Oak Lawn, entered a transition period bringing in "strips" of bright lights and bars into a largely residential neighborhood. Many fine old homes were torn down and replaced by businesses and apartments. Population growth likewise increased traffic and fire activity.

photo by Lindsay Dye - article courtesy Dallas Fire - Rescue 

[boardmansteve]

Pampa, TX - This career ISO 4 department operates out of two stations, including this classic downtown beauty, with an eight-man shift. Alarm access to the apparatus floor is via a single pole. A third building houses reserve apparatus and the PFD's 1957 Mack B85 parade pumper.

[boardmansteve]

Plainview, TX - This city's fire/EMS department operates with 37 personnel (33 line) from 3 houses. Most of Station 1's upstairs windows were bricked over when the building was remodeled and A/C installed years ago.  There are two poles used in this house.

[boardmansteve]

Canyon, TX - This is a combination department that responds from two stations.

[1961MackC95]

Plainview, TX - This city's fire/EMS department operates with 37 personnel (33 line) from 3 houses. Most of Station 1's upstairs windows were bricked over when the building was remodeled and A/C installed years ago.  There are two poles used in this house.

Spent a few hours at this one and Station 2 while growing up there.  There was no station 3 until the 1990s-early 2000s.

The Mack CF and its twin were placed into service early in the summer of 1972.

Did you get any current apparatus photos while visiting?

Lindsay D
Richardson, TX 

[boardmansteve]

Lindsay - The other CF was being stored at the city yard when it was torched (and destroyed) by an arsonist.

I shot the three downtown rigs with my SLR and the Suburbanite with my phone (at 3's).  It has had several modifications over the years, but they would still like to restore it:

[FiremanRW]

Itasca, TX VFD (Hill County)
FiremanRW photo

[FiremanRW]

Alvarado, TX FD/VFD (Johnson County)
FiremanRW photo

[FiremanRW]

Grandview, TX VFD (Johnson County)
FiremanRW photo

[nappc]

The Plainview Suburbanite is a carbon copy of the Dumas Seagrave from 1929.  I only wish the Dumas Suburnanite was in as good of shape.

[1961MackC95]

Station 2-Plainview, TX

This station is about 6 blocks from the house where I grew up.

Lindsay D
Richardson, TX

[1961MackC95]

Paducah, Texas

Lindsay D
Richardson, TX

[1961MackC95]

Vernon, Texas

Lindsay D
Richardson, TX

[1961MackC95]

Hale Center, Texas

Lindsay D
Richardson, TX

[MFDPhoto1]

A 'link' to Waxahachie, Texas fire stations:

Note; their new (June 2012) No. 2 Station, has Bi-Fold bay doors...the best (re-invention) since the days of the 'swing-out' doors of the late 1800's early 1900's

http://www.waxahachiefire.org/station%20and%20apparatus.htm