Madison in Jefferson County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Washington Fire Co. #2

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 26, 2021

1. Washington Fire Co. #2 Marker

Inscription. Volunteer Dep’t.
Organized Jan. 22, 1846

Edifice built in 1848 by city
of Madison — it is the oldest
firehouse still in use in Indiana

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical date for this entry is January 22, 1846.

Location. 38° 44.257′ N, 85° 22.836′ W. Marker is in Madison, Indiana, in Jefferson County. It is on West 3rd Street 0.1 miles east of Poplar Street, on the left when traveling east. Marker is mounted above the front entrance of the historic fire station, facing West 3rd Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 104 West 3rd Street, Madison IN 47250, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Indiana.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Ohio River Valley,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: John T. Windle Memorial Auditorium (within shouting distance of this marker); Madison's Fire Companies / Government Buildings (within shouting distance of this marker); Madison Historic District (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Irene Dunne (about 500 feet away); Broadway Colored School / Broadway Fountain (about 600 feet away); Michael C. Garber (about 700 feet away); Frank J. Knoebel (about 700 feet away); This Fountain (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.

Regarding Washington Fire Co. #2. The two-story

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brick building’s most defining exterior features include a triangular pediment and a short, wood-frame bell tower. The long, narrow building plan allowed adequate room on the ground floor to store cumbersome fire equipment and comfortably stable the horses that pulled 19th-century fire pumps and engines. Twentieth-century advancements in firefighting technology, such as larger gas-engine fire trucks, necessitated a few changes in the firehouse’s façade, most notably to the equipment bay door.
Washington Fire Co. #2 is a contributing property in the Madison Historic District, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Historic Landmark. National Register of Historic Places #73000020.

Also see . . .
1. Madison Historic District (Madison, Indiana). Wikipedia entry:
Links to National Historic Landmark Nomination (Submitted on June 13, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Washington Fire Co. #2 (Facebook). (Submitted on September 7, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 26, 2021

2. Washington Fire Co. #2 Marker

(marker is mounted above the front entrance)

Washington Fire Co. #2 Station image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 26, 2021

3. Washington Fire Co. #2 Station

The Washington Fire Company No. 2 has existed in Madison for over 175 years — a long tradition of commitment to public service — with the motto of “For the Public Good, We Hazard Our All.” The fire station, located at 104 West Third Street, is the first and only home of the No. 2 Fire Company, making it the oldest active fire station in Indiana. (By Bob Demaree, from the Madison Courier, 9/6/2021)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 429 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 7, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.