Firehall No. 1

Firehall No. 1. . Built in 1890 and manned by volunteer firefighters, the structure is the oldest brick fire hall in Alberta. The building was expanded and rebuilt on this site in 1908. Larger doors accommodated new equipment and additional space provided living space for permanent firefighters and their families. The architect was James A. MacDonald, Smith Bros. and Wilson were the builders. At the time, this Italianate-style building housed the Fire Department, City Hall and Police Department and was called the Municipal Building until 1917. The old police cells can be found in the basement. In June 1912 the Fire Department took over the horse drawn ambulance service from the Galt Hospital and has operated both fire protection and ambulance service (EMS) since that time., In 1975, Fire Headquarters was moved to 5th Avenue North. This building was closed and remained vacant for many years. Peter Fiorino purchased the structure in 1996 and invested hundreds of hours of his own labour and craftsmanship into its restoration and rehabilitation. The building now includes a restaurant and bar on the main floor, retail and office space on the second floor, and a private apartment on the third floor with a garden patio on the roof. The Firehall No. 1 is a Provincial Designated Historic Resource.