Tracy in San Joaquin County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
City of Tracy Station 96
"Dan Watrous Station"
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, January 20, 2023
1. City of Tracy Station 96 Marker
Dan Watrous grew up in Tracy graduating from Tracy High School in 1954. In 1958, he became a volunteer Firefighter, and within five months time was hired as a Firefighter/Engineer. Chief Watrous was promoted to Lieutenant in 1969 and Captain in 1972. He was named Fire Chief in 1974 and served until he retired in September 1988.
During his tenure, Chief Watrous started a home inspection program; acquired a "Jaws of Life" Hurst tool used for extrication, the first in San Joaquin County; and required all fire personnel to be trained as Emergency Medical Technicians. In 1979, with the assistance of the Chief of Tracy Rural Fire District, Chief Watrous proposed a joint-powers agreement, which instituted the first steps toward fire consolidation. He oversaw the construction of Station 96 at Grantline Road and Parker in 1982, and three years later Station 97 at Central Avenue and Tracy Boulevard.
Chief Watrous retired from the Tracy Fire Department in September 1988 with 30 years of service to the community. Chief Watrous passed away on August 30, 2006 at his Tracy home after losing a battle against cancer at the age of 69.
Erected by
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Charity & Public Work. A significant historical year for this entry is 1958.
Location. 37° 45.269′ N, 121° 25.813′ W. Marker is in Tracy, California, in San Joaquin County. Marker is at the intersection of Grant Line Road (County Route J4) and Parker Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Grant Line Road. The plaque is mounted next to the front door. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 801 Grant Line Road, Tracy CA 95376, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Tracy World War I Memorial and Honor Roll (approx. 1.2 miles away); Tracy City Hall (approx. 1.2 miles away); Tracy War Memorial (approx. 1.3 miles away); City of Tracy Station 91 (approx. 1.4 miles away); Lincoln Highway (approx. 1˝ miles away); a different marker also named Lincoln Highway (approx. 1˝ miles away); Banta Inn (approx. 3.1 miles away); The Comet – 1846 – First Sail Launch (approx. 7.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tracy.
Also see . . . South San Joaquin Fire Authority History.
"Tracy was established in 1878 at the junction of two railroad lines and was named after a Central Pacific Railroad official, Lathrop J. Tracy. The City of Tracy was incorporated(Submitted on January 22, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)in 1910 when its population was 2,000. The town was a booming railroad hub surrounded by farms and ranches. Several devastating structure fires struck downtown Tracy and prompted the City to organize a fire department in 1912."Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, January 20, 20232. Original Station 2 Dedication PlaqueCity of Tracy
Fire Station Number 2
Dorothy Zanussi, Mayor • Joan Sparks, Mayor Pro Tem • Larry Grebil, Council Member • C.D. “Don” Simpson, Council Member • Roy Sissell, Council Member • Michael Locke, City Manager • Daniel L. Watrous, Fire Chief
Architects Dickerson & Sample, Modesto, California
Contractor Ted A. Molfino, Lodi, California
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, January 20, 2023
3. City of Tracy Station 96 Marker
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, January 20, 2023
4. Station 96
Credits. This page was last revised on January 22, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 22, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 77 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 22, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.
