New Bern Former Firehouses

The modern history of firefighting in New Bern began with the formation of the Atlantic Hook and Ladder Company in 1845. The volunteer organization was the first chartered fire company in both New Bern and in North Carolina. The second prominent fire company was organized in 1865, when Union soldiers staying behind after the Civil War created the New Bern Steam Fire Engine Company No. 1. Though they initially operated a hand pump, the company received an Amoskeag steam engine three years later.

The Atlantic Company received their first steamer in 1879, and the New Bern Company received a replacement steamer in 1884. With the delivery of the new Silsby and Button engines, the rivalry grew between the Atlantic and the newly nicknamed Button Fire Company until 1928 when the two companies moved into a single fire station.

Historian Mike Legeros explores the history of the New Bern Fire Department, visiting five former fire stations ranging in age from decades to centuries.
 

Old City Hall 220-226 Craven Street Opened by 1885 / Closed 1928 Presently retail space Built between 1816 and 1818 as a row of four brick stores, this Federal-period building is the earliest surviving commercial structure in New Bern. By 1885, one of the stores was converted to an engine house for the Atlantic Steam Fire Engine Company. By 1888, the entire building was purchased by the city for use as a City Hall. Around 1905, a brick-veneered facade was added to the building. The three-story structure served as an engine house and later fire department headquarters until 1928, when all operations were consolidated into a single building at 420 Broad Street. In 1935, the remaining city offices were moved to their present location at 300 Pollock Street. The 8,050 square-foot building is presently used as retail space.
Old Engine House 405 Craven Street Opened 1913 / Closed 1928 Presently part of restaurant Built between 1888 and 1893, this three-story brick building served a variety of purposes during its early years. Occupants included the Hotel Neuse by 1898, the meeting rooms of the Elks' Lodge by 1904, and one of the city's two fire companies beginning in 1913. The Atlantic Fire Company occupied the building from 1913 until 1928. Fire poles were installed between the three floors. The fire company relocated to a new station on the other side of Broad Street in 1928. The 6,000 square-foot former fire station presently serves as banquet space for an adjoining restaurant.
Old Station 1 420 Broad Street Built 1928 / Closed 2000 Presently planned for museum use After decades of operating from separate facilities, the Atlantic and Button companies moved into a single fire station in 1928. The two-story brick building was equipped with a tower for drying hose, four apparatus bays, and a second-floor porch. Though the rivalries between the Atlantic and Button companies were put to rest, one concession was made to their competitive history: the station contained separate brass fire poles, one for each company. After City Hall was moved to Pollock Street in 1935, one of the three copper bears adorning the Craven Street structure was moved to the front of the fire station. In June 2000, the fire companies and fire department offices relocated to a new Station 1 at 1401 Neuse Boulevard. The 7,500 square-foot former fire station is presently empty and planned for expansion of the neighboring New Bern Firemen's Museum.
Old Station 2 500 Fort Totten Drive Built 1951 / Closed 2000 Presently youth center In the early 1950s, the New Bern Fire Department expanded from one to three stations. Both initially housed a GMC pumper and were staffed with a single paid person. The GMC pumper at Station 2 served both the city and county. It was soon replaced by a city-only engine and the fire department ceased county protection at that time. In 2000, the facility was closed as a new Station 1 opened around the corner on Neuse Boulevard. A new Station 2 subsequently opened at 800 West Thurman Road. The 1,151 square-foot former fire station presently serves as a youth center.
Old Station 3 1700 National Avenue Built 1955 / Closed 2003 Presently planned for municipal use The residential-style Station 3 opened in 1955, also with a GMC pumper and a single paid person. Located in the Riverfront community, the station was closed in 2003 due to overlapping coverage from the new Station 1. The 774 square-foot former fire station is planned for use by the Parks and Recreation Department. Station 4 at 3101 Elizabeth Avenue is presently under consideration for renumbering as Station 3.

City Hall Building



Different sections of the four-part City Hall building on Craven Street served the fire department between 1885 and 1928. The first engine house was located in the second (2) of the building's four sections. From before 1898 until after 1898, the fire department occupied the second (2) and third (3) sections. By 1904, two fire companies shared the second (2), third (3), and a portion of the fourth (4) section. Their equipment included two steam engines, two hose wagons, four horses on duty, and two horses in reserve. The hook and ladder truck and a hand hose reel were stored in separate buildings behind City Hall.

By 1908, the engine house had moved to the fourth (4) section of the City Hall building. Six paid drivers on constant duty staffed the station, along with two paid engineers. By 1913, the hook and ladder truck was housed in the second (2) section, and a hose wagon, a steam engine, and three horses were housed in the fourth (4) section. By 1924, both Station 2 and fire department headquarters occupied only the fourth (4) section. Additional structures over the years behind the building included a fire bell tower and assorted hose platforms.

Other Early Fire Stations


Riverside Fire Company at unknown location.

Other early fire department facilities included a two-story engine house and later combination fire station and synagogue at 41 Middle Street from before 1888 until after 1893, the one-story Riverside Fire Company station at the intersection of George and Cypress streets from before 1908 until after 1913, and the two-story Fourth Ward Fire Company station at 141 Broad Street circa 1913. None of the three structures are still standing.

In addition to the Riverside and Fourth Ward fire companies, other late 19th and early 20th century companies included the Excelsior Bucket and Axe Company, the Holden Fire Company, the Independent Colored Fire Company, the Mechanics Hook and Ladder Company, the Reliance Bucket and Axe Company, and the Rough and Ready Fire Company.

Map

References

New Bern Fire Department
New Bern Fire Department, Unofficial
Craven County GIS
Building information is available for most parcels of land in Craven County, including age, square footage, and a sketch of the structure.
New Bern-Craven County Public Library
The Kellenberger Room's extensive local history collection includes vertical files of fire department information and Peter B. Sandbeck's informative Historic Architecture of New Bern and Craven County, North Carolina.
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps via NC LIVE
New Bern insurance maps from 1885, 1888, 1893, 1898, 1904, 1908, 1913, 1924, 1931, and 1948 are available online. Access requires password available from your local library. After logging into NC LIVE, click Browse Resources and select Maps.

The Series

Asheville Former Firehouses
Charlotte Former Firehouses
Durham Former Firehouses
Fayetteville Former Firehouses
Goldsboro Former Firehouses
Greensboro Former Firehouses
High Point Former Firehouses
Kinston Former Firehouses
New Bern Former Firehouses
Raleigh Former Firehouses
Rocky Mount and Wilson Former Firehouses
Wilmington Former Firehouses
Winston-Salem Former Firehouses