Downtown in Victoria in Capital, British Columbia — Canada’s West Coast (North America)
Tiger Company Fire Hall
1880 - 1899
On January 1, 1886, the City of Victoria assumed responsibility for the fire department. Its volunteer firefighters, which included the Deluge Company, the Union Hook and Ladder Company, and the Tiger Company, were replaced with paid firefighters, with the volunteer companies serving as unofficial reserves. The Tiger Company Fire Hall was renamed the Victoria Fire Department No. 1 Hall and served citizens for more than a decade. In May 1899, it was replaced by a new and much larger Headquarters Fire Hall on Cormorant Street, which remained in use until 1959.
The Victoria Fire Department's first turntable aerial apparatus is shown during a training practice next to where you are standing. (Photo at right.) Built in 1889 by the Preston Company, the rig was well equipped with a 70-foot (21-metre) turntable aerial ladder, four ground ladders, two roof ladders, two fire extinguishers and assorted fire fighting equipment. The "truck" was drawn by horses and could be steered by the rear axle in order to facilitate turning sharp corners rapidly.
Erected 2013.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Charity & Public Work. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1875.
Location. 48° 25.695′ N, 123° 21.914′ W. Marker is in Victoria, British Columbia, in Capital. It is in Downtown. Marker is on Pandora Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Centennial Square, Victoria BC V8W 1P5, Canada. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Victoria Fire Department Headquarters (within shouting distance of this marker); Japanese Internment (within shouting distance of this marker); Wesleyan Methodist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Victoria City Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); McPherson Playhouse (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Fifth Regiment of Garrison Artillery (about 120 meters away); Chinese General Store (about 120 meters away); Cast Iron Panels (about 150 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Victoria.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 31, 2013, by Andrew Lester of Victoria, BC, Canada. This page has been viewed 446 times since then and 6 times this year. Last updated on April 7, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 31, 2013, by Andrew Lester of Victoria, BC, Canada. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.