Queen Square

Queen Square. Southeast Quadrant. , Queen Square was named by Colonial era founders of the city to honor the ruling queens of England. The southeastern quadrant of Queen Square was home to the Brunswick Fire Department from 1876 to 1932., Tinderbox Town , Brunswick’s prosperity in the late 19th century was largely due to the manufacture of turpentine and other rosin-based items, called naval stores. The Port of Brunswick led the nation in the export of railroad ties. Millions of board feet of lumber left the city docks to help build the country’s westward expansion. While fire protection was important in any city, in Brunswick, with its stacks of easily ignited materials in warehouses and on docks awaiting shipment it was crucial. Photo courtesy of Golden Isles Arts and Humanities Association., “Our Magnificent and Matchless Fire Engine” , The local newspaper, the Advertiser and Appeal, enthusiastically reported on the move of the volunteer Oceanic Fire Company #1 to their new headquarters on Queen Square in 1876. The transfer was accomplished with great fanfare, as the shinning American LeFrance steam engine known as the Viola traveled on a horse-drawn wagon through the city streets, accompanied by the Brunswick Brass Band and the marching Brunswick Riflemen. Photos courtesy of Captain Chuck Yeargin., Fire Service for a Growing City , A group of Brunswick citizens formed Mechanics Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 in 1884. By 1885, the station had added a hose tower that stood out as a landmark in the city skyline. By 1890, the city enlarged the fire station and augmented its volunteer fire service with a paid squad, led by Chief J.H. Harrison. Photos courtesy of Captain Chuck Yeargin. Glynn County Fire Department., A City in Flames , At 11:00 AM on April 3, 1896, sparks from dockside construction equipment set fire to nearby rosin barrels. The blaze was soon out of control, fueled by warehouses full of naval stores, cotton, wood products and other flammable goods. Over half the downtown business section was destroyed. After 12 hours of struggle against high winds and dwindling water pressure, firefighters extinguished the flames. The story of the tragic fire spread nationwide, and Brunswick’s brave firefighters were credited for saving not only lives, but the future of the city as well. Photos courtesy of Golden Isles Arts and Humanities Association., Moving into the Modern Age , After recovering from the devastating fire of 1896. Brunswick invested regularly in its fire protection assets. By 1908, the entire firefighter workforce was paid. By 1913, the large hose tower was replaced by more modern equipment capable of handling 4,200 feet of cotton rubber-lined hose, the best available at the time., The entire department was supplied with motorized vehicles in September 1914, thereby ending the use of horse drawn wagons. A move to new headquarters on Gloucester Street in 1932 ended the Queen Square firehouse era., but the lifesaving legacy of Brunswick’s dedicated firefighters lives on. Photos courtesy of Captain Chuck Yeargin, Glynn County Fire Department., In 1771, the city of Brunswick. Georgia was laid out according to "the Oglethorpe Plan," named after the colony's founder. General James Edward Oglethorpe. The design featured a grid of 14 large and small squares. The intention of the plan was to create permanent, park-like common areas throughout the city. The squares still bear their original names, which reveal Brunswick's strong historic ties to England., Signature Squares of Brunswick, a non-profit organization founded to restore and preserve the parks and squares within the historic district of Brunswick, gratefully acknowledges the research contributions of Mia Knight Nichols and the support of the City of Brunswick: Delong-Sweet Foundation: The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc., Magnolia Garden Club; Jekyll Island Authority; Friends of Coastal Georgia History: Downtown Development Authority; Plum Creek Foundation; Jerry Spencer, ASLA, Landscape Architect.