Fire in Big D

 

Across the street from the giggles of children at the Fair Park and yards from E. Grand Avenue and the historic Bankhead Highway is the Dallas Firefighters Museum. (Dallas Firefighters Museum)

The door closes and after staring down traffic on a 10-ft wide, at best, street, the door opens followed by "Ding..Ding..Ding.." A gentleman just over six foot with a denim blue collar shirt and a brimmed Dallas Fire Department ball cap greets the customer, "Hello, what can I do for you?" After paying the $4 fee, it was time to explore. Immediately to the right are two major attractions, including a 1921 American LaFrance.

 

Hands wipe the wrinkled forehead, which felt hotter environments for 32 years before retiring, then becoming docent of the museum. He sweeps his pitch black shoes across floor as he walks into the next room.

"These hydrants come from all over," he says with an ounce of dignity. "Do you know how you can tell which pumps the most water?" The guest shakes their head. The pump with the red top lets out the weakest, he adds, while the blue top delivers the most (1500 GPM or Gallons Per Minute). "Ding Ding," a new guest arrives and moments later lets them peruse the museum.

This was placed at the station in 1957 after a devastating tornado rampaged through Dallas. (57' Dallas Tornado)

Several trucks from various eras ranging from 1884 to 1958 decorate the interior. However, the truck from 1884 has a special place in Dallas fire history.

The horse-drawn steam pumper known as "Old Tige" was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, according to the museum, and was purchased by the City of Dallas in 1883. It arrived in February 1884, which coincided with the town's first full-time firefighter, Dennis Canty. As for the pumper, it was named after former Dallas Mayor W.L. Cabell.

The fire station itself was built in 1907 as home to Hook and Ladder Co. No. 3. The station and its firefighters operated with distinction from 1907 to 1975, playing a vital role in the fabric of the neighborhood and the City of Dallas. In 1968 the City of Dallas Fire Counsel, made up of 30 citizens interested in the fire service, met to discuss the idea of a Museum. "A feasibility study justified the creation of a Museum and soon thereafter, the Fire Counsel recommended the establishment of a museum." In 1970, the Dallas Firefighters Museum was incorporated as a non-profit organization and a 50-year charter was granted by the State of Texas. Completed in 1972, just before the opening of the State Fair of Texas, the City declared the Museum a City of Dallas Historic Landmark. The place opened in May 1972.

In 2009, the museum board and the City of Dallas agreed to a 30-year lease of the fire station as the home of the Dallas Firefighters Museum. The board also launched a capital campaign to create an interactive Fire and Life Safety Education Center, and all of the renovations that will require. Plans identified a need of $5.6 million for building upgrades and renovations. The Board will seek $4.4 million in endowment funding to expand programming, scholarships and insure the future of the Museum.

After enjoying the fire trucks the guest roamed up the stairs and into another room full of various items ranging from:

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A young boy in short pants and a coy smile walks downstairs with a brown haired grey eyed middle aged woman. "Do you want to go on a truck," the docent asks. Moments later, hiding in hesitance, the young man shook his head as the docent smiled.

"Ding...Ding...Ding..."