Magnolia Park in Houston in Harris County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Magnolia Park City Hall and Central Fire Station
The city of Magnolia Park was incorporated on July 1, 1913, on property first developed by John Thomas Brady in 1890 as a large excursion park. For the municipality's first ten years, city offices were located in various temporary facilities, all situated along Harrisburg Boulevard.
By the early 1920s, officials decided to consolidate administrative offices for the mayor and city aldermen with the central fire station in a single building at the site of the city's original fire station, which was razed to make way for the new structure. Designed by the Houston architectural firm of McClelland & Fink and constructed by Magnolia Park contractor Charley Dahl, the combined city hall and fire station was dedicated on July 1, 1923, the tenth anniversary of Magnolia Park's incorporation.
On October 16, 1926, the city of Houston annexed the city of Magnolia Park. This facility then served the Houston Fire Department as Fire Station No. 20 and as a regional battalion headquarters. A Houston police department substation was also located here. Eventually, the Houston police department vacated the building and Fire Station no. 20 was relocated in 1973. The building has also served as a Harris County precinct voting location. The two-story dark red brick and cast stone building is divided by vertical piers into sections, with an entrance door leading to a stairway to second floor offices on the west, and the fire station and subsequent additions to the east. Later renovations included a brick calaboose appended to the building's east side. The parapet over the entry contains a scalloped pediment framing a cast stone panel inscribed "City Hall."
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2009
Marker is property of the State of Texas
Erected 2009 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 15711.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. A significant historical date for this entry is July 1, 1913.
Location. 29° 44.22′ N, 95° 17.683′ W. Marker is in Houston, Texas, in Harris County. It is in Magnolia Park. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Avenue F and 73rd Street, on the right. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7301 Avenue F, Houston TX 77011, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Immaculate Conception Catholic Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Lorenzo de Zavala (approx. 0.3 miles away); Magnolia Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); Hidalgo Park Quiosco (approx. 0.7 miles away); Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church (approx. 1.2 miles away); Buffalo Bayou, Brazos & Colorado Railroad (approx. 1½ miles away); Holy Cross Mission (approx. 1½ miles away); Site of the Home of Mrs. Jane Harris (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Houston.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 9, 2018, by Aldi of Houston, Texas. This page has been viewed 685 times since then and 80 times this year. Last updated on July 11, 2022, by Joe Lotz of Denton, Texas. Photos: 1. submitted on November 18, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 2. submitted on March 9, 2018, by Aldi of Houston, Texas. 3, 4. submitted on November 18, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.