Devils Lake in Ramsey County, North Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Firehouse
Devils Lake Commercial District
placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
1989
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1912.
Location. 48° 6.76′ N, 98° 51.585′ W. Marker is in Devils Lake, North Dakota, in Ramsey County. Marker is on 5th Street Northeast just east of 4th Avenue Northeast, on the right when traveling east. The marker is mounted at eye-level, directly on the subject building, on the right side of the north/front entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 416 5th Street Northeast, Devils Lake ND 58301, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Gilbertson (a few steps from this marker); Locke Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Paul's Appliance (within shouting distance of this marker); World War Memorial Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Bell Drug Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Kelly Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Christie Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Chantilly House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Devils Lake.
Regarding The Firehouse. Contributing property, Devils Lake Commercial District, National Register of Historic Places #89001675.
From the National Register Nomination: Fire Station #1 (1912)
After a fire destroyed most of commercial Devils Lake in 1884, concerns arose for securing a fire prevention facility. This fire hall, built in 1912, was a somewhat late response to these needs. The brick construction and commanding Romanesque design lent an air of permanence and stability to the structure, appropriate qualities for a fire hall. Corbel work, a central arched window and a tower with arched openings verify the Romanesque theme of this highly intact building. The fire hall represents another work of local architect Joseph A. Shannon.The Commercial District presents a collection of structures reflecting, in one aspect or another, the evolution of Devils Lake from the railroad era to the age of the automobile. The physical appearance of the Commercial District
building stock may be characterized as two-story and predominantly brick, with gradations in the color and in the size and craftsmanship of mortar joints. The bulk of Commercial District properties in Devils Lake are in many respects connected to events of railroad expansion in northeastern North Dakota. Railroad tributaries enabled merchants to make quick shipments, and abundant supplies of fuel, wood and coal were added inducements for retail growth. Most of the Commercial District growth took place within the context of two major development periods: The First Dakota Boom between 1879 and 1886, and The Second Dakota Boom, 1898-1917. Outside boom periods, the character of District properties was undoubtedly shaped by the latent effects of increased rail traffic and a broadening exposure to new methods and fashions in the building industry.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Devils Lake Commercial District
Also see . . .
1. Joseph A. Shannon. Excerpt:
Joseph A. Shannon was an architect in Devils Lake, North Dakota. He has been termed “the city's first true architect.” He apparently had no formal degree in architecture, yet applied for certification and became one of North Dakota's first licensed architects. He designed 17 buildings in Devils Lake, of which 15 survived in 2001. Shannon was born March 21, 1859, and grew up in Edina, Missouri. In Minnesota he worked as a carpenter, then established a homestead near Bristol, South Dakota, and later worked as a carpenter at Fort Sisseton in South Dakota. He later served as president of the North Dakota State Board of Architecture. He lived in Devils Lake until his death on January 25, 1934.(Submitted on February 22, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Devils Lake Commercial District (Wikipedia). Excerpt:
The Devils Lake Commercial District in Devils Lake, North Dakota is a 15 acres historic district that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.(Submitted on February 22, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 1, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 22, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 38 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 22, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.