Palestine Fire Department
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WalksfarTX
N 31° 45.844 W 095° 37.680
15R E 251098 N 3517291
In 1968 the Central Fire Station was moved to its present location at 611 Avenue A near the County Court House in the Old Town area. It was later renamed Fire Station #1.
Waymark Code: WMW4J3
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 07/09/2017
Views: 1
dexknows.com
Being one of the oldest Fire Departments in the Great State of Texas, the Palestine Hose Company petitioned the newly formed City Government for recognition June 1, 1876. The proposal was accepted by the City Government and all Fire Fighting Equipment was turned over to Palestine Hose Company at that time. The equipment consisted of some axes and a couple of lanterns. All the Firefighters were volunteers at that time and their firefighting equipment was hand-pulled carts with hand operated pumps. The water supply came from nearby wells and community water holes.
In 1881, the first water mains were laid and the first Fire Engine which was horse drawn was purchased. During the early 1880's, the Hope Hook and Ladder Company #2 and the Burkitt Hose Company #2 were formed. Both of these Companies were staffed by Volunteers. For many years the City of Palestine boased 3 Fire Departments. June 25, 1887 the Drivers of Palestine Hose Company #1 became paid by the City of Palestine. Still at this time, the Fire Chief and the Firefighters were volunteers. In April 1900, all three units, the Palestine Hose Company #1, Burkitt Hose Company #2, and Hope Hook and Ladder Company were combined to form the Palestine Fire Department.
In 1904, the Palestine Fire Department became fully paid. It was in 1922 that the City of Palestine purchased it's first motorized Fire Truck, a Robinson Pumper. During this same time frame the Crawford Street Fire Station was opened. While Palestine had a motorized Fire Truck, the Department still had Horse drawn Fire Equipment. The last two horses that the Department owned were named Barney and Warren In 1955 the Y.M.C.A. located on Hoxie St. between Sycamore and Magnolia Sts. alongside the railroad tracks burned. The Firefighters fought a couragous battle, but because of the headstart the fire had and the building construction materials that were used, the building was a complete loss. The 'Y' was never rebuilt on this location. Currently the site is used as a parking for the Union Pacific Railroad The Crawford Street station was the only remaining Fire Station until 1964 when the City built Fire Sub-Station #1 (later renamed Station 2) on 7th Street in the Westwood area.