Downtown in Campbell in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Campbell Fire Station
Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 5, 2009
1. Campbell Fire Station Marker
A twin marker is located inside the museum, just left of the entrance doors.
Inscription.
Campbell Fire Station. . The Campbell Volunteer Fire Department officially began in 1912. Keeping track of ladders was a problem and the need for a fire station became apparent. An ad placed in the newspaper urged "all parties to leave ladders belonging to fire dept. in their places." An addendum later stated "...except in case of fire." The first Campbell volunteer fire station (as shown on the right) in 1913 was located on the east side of Campbell Ave. Equipment was kept in the front shed., Campbell grew rapidly and the expanding fire dept. needed a larger station. In 1951, this fire station was built here at 51 N. Central Ave. This became the first building owned by the newly incorporated City of Campbell. At one time the building served as city hall and housed the fire dept., police dept., and city offices. In 1952, volunteer Chief Jack Scott was named as the City of Campbell's first fire chief., This building was used as the main Campbell fire station for 30 years. Water hoses hung from the tower to dry after each use to prevent mildew. Today water hoses are made of nylon material that resists mildew. The fire engines were kept in the main gallery with the garage doors in the back., When the Union Avenue fire station was built in 1982, this building was no longer needed. The building was renovated so that the firefighters' living quarters were converted to offices and the garage doors were sealed, but the tower was kept as it was then. In 1983, the Campbell Historical Museum moved into the building. Now the building is designated as a local historic point of interest.
The Campbell Volunteer Fire Department officially began in 1912. Keeping track of ladders was a problem and the need for a fire station became apparent. An ad placed in the newspaper urged "all parties to leave ladders belonging to fire dept. in their places." An addendum later stated "...except in case of fire." The first Campbell volunteer fire station (as shown on the right) in 1913 was located on the east side of Campbell Ave. Equipment was kept in the front shed.
Campbell grew rapidly and the expanding fire dept. needed a larger station. In 1951, this fire station was built here at 51 N. Central Ave. This became the first building owned by the newly incorporated City of Campbell. At one time the building served as city hall and housed the fire dept., police dept., and city offices. In 1952, volunteer Chief Jack Scott was named as the City of Campbell's first fire chief.
This building was used as the main Campbell fire station for 30 years. Water hoses hung from the tower to dry after each use to prevent mildew. Today water hoses are made of nylon material that resists mildew. The fire engines were kept in the main gallery with the garage doors in the back.
When the Union Avenue fire station was built in 1982, this building was no longer needed. The building was renovated so that the firefighters'
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living quarters were converted to offices and the garage doors were sealed, but the tower was kept as it was then. In 1983, the Campbell Historical Museum moved into the building. Now the building is designated as a local historic point of interest.
Erected by Campbell Historical Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Charity & Public Work. A significant historical year for this entry is 1912.
Location. 37° 17.263′ N, 121° 56.626′ W. Marker is in Campbell, California, in Santa Clara County. It is in Downtown. Marker can be reached from Civic Center Drive near North Central Avenue. Marker is located at the entrance to the museum which is located at the rear of the building off of Civic Center Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 51 North Central Avenue, Campbell CA 95008, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Marker is seen at the far left of photo under the tree branches.
Laundry was done by a group of school children visiting the museum on a field trip.
3. Close-Up of Photo on Marker
4. Close-Up of Photo on Marker
Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 5, 2009
5. Campbell Fire Station
View of the "sealed" garage doors.
Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 5, 2009
6. Dedication Plaque – Located to the Right of the Entrance Doors
City of Campbell
Historical Museum
Dedicated November 12, 1983
City Council
Dean R. Chamberlain – Mayor ∙ Norman Paul – Vice Mayor ∙ John J. Ashworth ∙ Ralph Doetsch ∙ William R. Podgorsek ∙ Edward G. Schilling – City Manager
Warren B. Heid, A.I.A. - Architect
Associated Builders, Inc. - General Contractor
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 8, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,354 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 8, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.