Allen County, Indiana Genealogy

Horses in the Fire Department

The Fort Wayne Firefighters Museum at the top of the page says the two-bay station was built around 1893 with 12 horses in the station at its peak. Here are a few of the Fire Department No. 3 horse photos in the Allen County Public Library Digital Collections at the Allen County Public Library.

Fort Wayne Fire Station No. 3, 226 West Washington Blvd. Date ca.1895.

The new 1908 Nott First Class Steamer in front of Fire Station No. 3, 226 West Washington. Date 1908.

The new 1908 Seagrave 85' aerial tillerman truck used a three horse hitch is at Fire Station No.3, 226 West Washington. Captain George Jasper is standing in front of the truck. Date 1908.

Fire Department Coal Wagon at No. 3
Description Fort Wayne Fire Department Coal Wagon at Fire Station No. 3, 226 West Washington Street. This is the building in the rear that was added in 1909. This photo was used on the 1909 composite of Station No. 3. Date 1909.

Horse Stalls at Fire Station No. 3

Description Fort Wayne Fire Horses in their stalls at Fire Station No. 3, 226 West Washington Street. This photo was used on the 1909 composite of Station No. 3. Date 1909.

Fire Station No. 3 Equipment

Description Fort Wayne Fire Station No. 3, 226 West Washington. Interior view looking through the apparatus room from East to West. This photograph was used to make a composite picture of Station No. 3 in 1909.

Composite of Fire Station No. 3. Individual photos of Henry Hilbrecht, George Jasper, J. Luley, Charles Harris, John Meyers, F. Tieman, M. Laughlin, Wm. Brandt, F. Horstman, Fred Stahlhut, G. Steup, F. Sellers, Charles Treece, W.H. Kronk, F. Schulz, Calvin Rieman, H.T. Hayes, George Herman, Bob (mascot cat). Date 1909.It evens names the horses and Bob the mascot cat!

Fire Station No. 3, 226 West Washington. This photo was made off a post card. date 10/16/1911.

Fireman Charles Harris driving steamer from Fire Station No. 3 on the way to Mayflower Mills Fire at 118-120 West Columbia Street. 05/21/1911 in the Allen County Public Library Digital Collections at the Allen County Public Library.

Another photo: Fort Wayne fire department horse-drawn wagon going north on Harrison Street in response to an alarm at Mayflower Mills, 21 May 1911.

May 22, 2024 post on True Fort Wayne Indiana History on Facebook

Assistant Fire Chief George W. Jasper holding the reins, Charles Treece is to his left. They are in the assistant chief's buggy at the rear of Fire Station No.3, 226 West Washington. Date 1913.[ This buggy is in the Fire Fighters museum as shown around the 0:55 mark of the video at the top of the page! ]

Fire Station No. 5

August 19, 2024 post on True Fort Wayne Indiana History on Facebook showed three photos. On Dec. 31, 1930, a fire truck from Engine House No. 5 struck a sedan on Broadway at Wayne. (The 7 injured were taken to St. Joe Hospital, a block away.) This distinctive, 19th century house is well known as the Eli Hoffman House, Dr. Joseph Baltes' Office; and later, Baltes Cardiology. Others? - photos are by Clippinger, for the Journal Gazette; and the Daniel A. Baker Collection, via ACPL

Fire truck wreck - Seven hurt when fire truck hits auto. Seven persons were injured, four of them seriously, when a fire truck from No. 5 Engine House struck an automobile at Wayne Street & Broadway while answering an alarm which later proved false. The truck was driven by Clifford Butler of 1522 Lumbard Street and the light sedan by Miss. Mildred Magers of 908 Third Street. The injured were all taken to St. Joseph's Hospital a block away. The heavy truck struck the sedan, and then crashed over the curb and into a large pole. House number is 821 Broadway, also has a number on Wayne Street (624). House is on the Northeast corner. Photograph appeared in the Journal Gazette on 1/1/1931. Photo by Clippinger. Allen County Public Library Digital Collections at the Allen County Public Library.

Broadway to Wayne Street, circa 1900. Photo taken from middle of Broadway towards Wayne. Theodore Frank house (704 West Wayne) on the left and Ely Hoffman house (624 West Wayne) on right. Daniel A. Baker Photograph Collection> Allen County Public Library Digital Collections at the Allen County Public Library.

Broadway to Wayne Street, 2017. Photo taken from middle of Broadway towards Wayne. Ely Hoffman House (624 West Wayne) on the right; Broadway Christian Church along the left. Daniel A. Baker Photograph Collection> Allen County Public Library Digital Collections at the Allen County Public Library.

Fire Station No. 8

July 6, 2023 post by ARCH, Inc. on Facebook:

Built in 1895, Engine House #8, 2211 Fairfield Ave., is an excellent example of Neoclassical architecture which was popular c.1891-c.1950. This style uses an eclectic mix of classical features like columned porticos, pediments and cornices with dentils, pilasters, keystones and quoins. This building was designed by architect John M.E. Riedel. He designed more than a few buildings of note in this community including the A.L. & Irene Riegel House, 620 Main St.; St. Paul Lutheran School, 1225 Barr St.; and Concordia Evangelical School, 1820 Alliger St. The Engine House has dentils in the entablature held up by pilasters over the engine house doors and in the entablature at the roof line. The bell tower is on the south side of the building. ARCH is proud to present this edition of Throwback Thursday, part of its work as the historic preservation organization serving the greater Fort Wayne area, made possible by ARCH members and donors. Thank you.

Fire Station No. 9

Today’s Throwback Thursday post features a building that was Engine House No. 9, became the new fire academy in 1961,...

Posted by ARCH, Inc. on Thursday, June 10, 2021

Thursday, June 10, 2021 post by ARCH, Inc. on Facebook:

Today’s Throwback Thursday post features a building that was Engine House No. 9, became the new fire academy in 1961, and fell on hard times after its service to the fire department. The structure has been brought back to life, thanks to the Fort Wayne Office of Housing & Neighborhood Services, and is now the location of hte urban farm, Johnnie Mae Farm at 2518 Winter Street. The Craftsman-style Engine House Number 9 was designed by architect Frank Allen. The brick building was the first fire station in Fort Wayne that was built to accommodate motorized fire trucks. When the building was restored, many of the original features were retained like the wood brackets, original window openings with limestone lintels and sills, large double doors, the limestone cornerstone and the tower on the north side of the building. The farm’s namesake Johnnie Mae White was a devoted community leader dedicated to enriching the lives of others, through compassion, faith and the desire to help. The community was fed by donations and canning services in this building. The restoration included the installation of a state-of-the-art commercial grade kitchen. The kitchen is available for rent or use by community groups. Johnnie Mae Farm Stand sells the produce that is grown on-site. Indiana Landmarks Indiana Historical Society Indiana Historical Bureau City of Fort Wayne Government Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana Allen County Public Library Greater Fort Wayne Inc. Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership Fort Wayne Community Memories Purdue Extension - Allen County Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Johnnie Mae Farm Renaissance Pointe Hanna-Creighton Renaissance Pointe YMCA

Fire Station No. 14

November 3, 2023 post by the City of Fort Wayne Government on Facebook:

Today, Mayor Tom Henry and Fort Wayne Fire Department officials toured the new Fire Station #14 located at the intersection of Reed Road and East State Boulevard.

The new fire station will begin serving our community later this month.

[ February 16, 2023 photos posted by On The Mark Land Surveying on Facebook ]

November 14, 2023 post by the City of Fort Wayne Government on Facebook:

The new Fire Station 14 was officially dedicated today by Mayor Tom Henry and the Fort Wayne Fire Department.

Read more: MAYOR HENRY AND FWFD DEDICATE NEW FIRE STATION 14

November 14, 2023 post by the Fort Wayne Fire Department on Facebook:

Mayor Tom Henry joined Fire Chief Eric Lahey, Fort Wayne Fire Department employees, and representatives from Witwer Construction and Shive-Hattery Architecture and Engineering, to dedicate Fire Station 14, located on the southeast corner of Reed Road and East State Boulevard.

“Today marks an important milestone in our ongoing efforts to provide excellent public safety services,” said Mayor Henry. “This modern and efficient facility will be a welcome addition to assist the women and men of the Fort Wayne Fire Department. Our firefighters do an outstanding job each day to protect residents, neighborhoods and businesses.”

Station 14 firefighters will move into their new building tomorrow. The $4 million investment features two full bays and a one-half bay. It has sleeping quarters to accommodate the firefighters’ 24-hour shifts, a large dining room and kitchen, and a workout room.

Numerous safety measures for cancer prevention were also included in the design of Station 14. There are clear markings separating the living space of the structure from the work space, in order to keep the living space free from contaminates. Positive pressure air locks were installed to keep exhaust fumes and airborne contaminates contained. And there is a decontamination shower on the work side, along with a separate area where soiled firefighting gear can be washed and dried.

Fire Station 14 was relocated from Reed Road, across from Snider High School. The new station provides easier access to major roadways and much needed space for firefighters, increasing their ability to provide lifesaving service to City residents.

The fire station also helps serve a growing area of the community with three schools nearby and provide for better access to areas the City of Fort Wayne serves in partnership with St. Joseph Township. All of the changes will not impact response times that are currently being met by the Fort Wayne Fire Department.

Witwer Construction Inc. was the general contractor and Shive-Hattery Architecture and Engineering was the architect for Fire Station 14.

We hope you had a chance to see the new Station 6 and Station 14 fire engines during the Three Rivers Festival Parade.

Posted by Fort Wayne Fire Department on Wednesday, July 17, 2024

Wednesday, July 17, 2024 post by the Fort Wayne Fire Department on Facebook.

We hope you had a chance to see the new Station 6 and Station 14 fire engines during the Three Rivers Festival Parade.