Sulphur Springs in Hopkins County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Sulphur Springs Volunteer Fire Department and Fire Bell of 1889

Photographed by Mark Hilton, June 25, 2018

1. Sulphur Springs Volunteer Fire Department and Fire Bell of 1889 Marker

Inscription. Volunteer fire fighters, organized soon after Sulphur Springs was incorporated (1870), used a "bucket brigade" and hand-drawn equipment to control blazes before the city purchased a steam fire engine in 1888. To summon firemen, this 500-pound brass bell was bought in 1889 and hung in the tower of the engine house. It was replaced in the 1930s by a siren which spread the alarm over a wider area of the growing town. Professional firemen joined the force in the 1940s, but volunteers still help battle major fires.

Erected 1975 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 7333.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1888.

Location. 33° 8.627′ N, 95° 36.041′ W. Marker is in Sulphur Springs, Texas, in Hopkins County. It is at the intersection of Church Street and Bonner Street, on the right when traveling south on Church Street. Located in Woodrow Wilson Mini Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 627 Church Street, Sulphur Springs TX 75482,

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United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and in the Piney Woods.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hopkins County Echo-Daily News-Telegram (approx. ¼ mile away); George and Myra Wilson (approx. 0.3 miles away); First United Methodist Church of Sulphur Springs (approx. 0.3 miles away); Sulphur Springs Loan and Building Association (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hopkins County Courthouse (approx. 0.4 miles away); First Christian Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); City National Bank (approx. 0.4 miles away); Home County of Texas Confederate General W. H. King / Texas in the Civil War (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sulphur Springs.

Sulphur Springs Volunteer Fire Department and Fire Bell of 1889 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, June 25, 2018

2. Sulphur Springs Volunteer Fire Department and Fire Bell of 1889

Bell can be seen on left and siren on right with marker in-between.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 5, 2018. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 473 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 5, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.