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Little Italy in San Diego in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
 

Old Fire Station Number Six

The Firehouse Museum

 
 
Old Fire Station Number Six Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Denise Boose, August 6, 2016
1. Old Fire Station Number Six Marker
Inscription. From 1915 to 1970, San Diego Fire Department's Original Fire Station 6 proudly served the community of Little Italy. In the workshop on this site some of America's most significant fire service innovations were created by the specialty trade-skilled firefighters who worked here, including the world's first gas engine powered fireboat, the Bill Kettner. In 1963 the National Fire Protection Association declared the National Standard Thread the Official Fire House Thread of the United States of America. The machine which enabled this federal legislation was invented here six years earlier by Inventor/Battalion Chief Robert Ely. The common thread allowed thousands of American Firefighters to connect their fire hoses together, allowing them to work as one. As a result, countless lives and priceless amounts of property and the environment have been saved.
 
Erected 2015 by The Pioneer Hook and Ladder Company, IAFF Local 145, San Diego Fireman's Relief Association, San Diego Retired Fire and Police Association, The Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus - John P. Squibob Chapter #1853.
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus
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, and the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1915.
 
Location. 32° 43.302′ N, 117° 10.062′ W. Marker is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County. It is in Little Italy. It is at the intersection of Columbia Street and West Cedar Street, on the left when traveling west on Columbia Street. San Diego Firehouse Museum is located in the same building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1572 Columbia Street, San Diego CA 92101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Peninsular Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Piazza della Famiglia (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Frankie Laine (about 600 feet away); Little Italy Landmark Sign (about 700 feet away); 2006 Torino Winter Olympic Opening Celebration (about 700 feet away); 2006 FIFA World Soccer Cup Celebration (about 700 feet away); Madeleine & Vincent DePhilippis (about 800 feet away); Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rose & Salvatore “Sal” Cresci (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Diego.
 
Old Fire Station Number Six Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Denise Boose, August 6, 2016
2. Old Fire Station Number Six Marker
Old Fire Station Number Six Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Denise Boose, August 6, 2016
3. Old Fire Station Number Six Marker
Old Fire Station Number Six Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Denise Boose, August 6, 2016
4. Old Fire Station Number Six Marker
Hart Hook & Ladder No. 2 image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Denise Boose, August 6, 2016
5. Hart Hook & Ladder No. 2
Old La Jolla Hand Drawn Fire Engine originally Hart Hook & Ladder No. 2, a Logan Heights Voluntee Company of 1886. Rebuilt as a Chemical Engine from 1905 until 1913, it was La Jolla's only fire protection.
Old Fire Station Number Six Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Denise Boose, August 6, 2016
6. Old Fire Station Number Six Marker
This property has been listed in the National Register of Historical Places By the United States Department of the Interior
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 29, 2017, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 765 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 29, 2017, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
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Jun. 8, 2026