Old and New: Presidio Fire Station
New additions should be designed and constructed so that the character-defining features of the historic building
are not radically changed, obscured, damaged or destroyed in the process of rehabilitation. New design should
always be clearly differentiated so that the addition does not appear to be part of the historic resource.
From the secretary of the Interior's Standards.
The Presidio is a National Historic Landmark District with 469 historic structures. Historic buildings rehabilitation in
the park must conform to Federal standards for the treatment of historic properties. These standards recognize that same
buildings must be updated to remain usable and accessible. They require that the new additions be compatible with, but not
copies of the historic architecture.
The right side of this fire station, built in 1917, was the first on any U.S. Army post to house a permanent fire company
with trained firefighters. In 1998, the wing to the left was added to house larger fire engines. If you look closely, its design
is distinguishable from the original building. Today it is staffed by the San Francisco Fire Department. Its paramedics
are the first responders for the Presidio community and park visitors.
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