Midtown in Sacramento in Sacramento County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The First Hundred Years are the Hardest

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, March 13, 2010

1. The First Hundred Years are the Hardest Marker

Inscription. When Sacramento bought steam pumpers the volunteers could not keep their steam? up, so they hired professional firemen. Since March 30, 1872, Sacramento paid firemen have always been the first to respond to any crisis.
New Helvetia Chapter No. 5,
E Clampus Vitus
August 5, 1972

Erected 1972 by E Clampus Vitus, New Helvetia Chapter No. 5.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Heroes • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 30, 1975.

Location. 38° 34.419′ N, 121° 28.776′ W. Marker is in Sacramento, California, in Sacramento County. It is in Midtown. Marker is on 21st Street south of L Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1215 21st Street, Sacramento CA 95814, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Dunn Mansion (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Charlotte Amanda Spears Bass (approx. 0.2 miles away); Clara Shortridge Foltz (approx. 0.2 miles away); First United Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); María Amparo Ruiz de Burton (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lavinia Gertrude Watson

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); Zitkála-Šá (approx. 0.2 miles away); Luella Johnston (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sacramento.

Restoration plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, March 13, 2010

2. Restoration plaque

Mounted above the main marker is a plaque marking the restoration of the firehouse, reading:
Firehouse No. 3 Restoration
Dedicated August 11, 1990
By
James Simas, Robert Simas, Daniel McAuliffe, and Stephen Cuddy

Hook, ax, and ladder - detail of north pediment image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, March 13, 2010

3. Hook, ax, and ladder - detail of north pediment

Firehose and shield with "3" - detail of south pediment image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, March 13, 2010

4. Firehose and shield with "3" - detail of south pediment

Fire Station No. 3 (1893) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, March 13, 2010

5. Fire Station No. 3 (1893)

The marker is visible here, mounted to the right of the leftmost set of white doors.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 23, 2010, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 961 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 23, 2010, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.