The Center of Papillion's City Services

The Center of Papillion's City Services. . , Papillion's Evolving Public Works Department , This location, at 122 E. Third St., was the site of the town's original community water well. In March 1907, citizens of Papillion voted to approve a new $25,000 municipal waterworks system capable of handling 105 pounds of water pressure. The proposal included stormwater system improvements and a waterworks plant that was built in 1908 in this location. A new pump house and an extension of the waterworks system was completed in July 1915. As Papillion continued to grow, so did its need for reliable water system infrastructure. In 1959, a $105,000 bond issue for a new water tower and transmission system was approved by the voters. The improvements were completed in September of the following year. , Historic WPA Building , The native limestone garage standing today was built as the Sarpy County maintenance garage, using Works Progress Administration (WPA) assistance. Despite building plans being approved in 1941, work was delayed for several years due to World War II. All of the white limestone was quarried from the banks of the Platte River, south of Papillion. When the county relinquished use of the facility, the city purchased it and used it as a public works building for many years. , History of the Fire Department in Papillion , On January 31, 1899, the Papillion Fire Company was organized to help calm citizens' concerns as the number of wooden buildings being constructed continued to grow. Mayor Charles Rosencrans was named Fire Chief. The Fire Company began raising funds for new firefighting apparatuses. It made its first new equipment purchase in 1900, which included: four ladders, a 50-foot extension ladder and 12 buckets. Prior to this, community members would run to the fire barn anytime the fire whistle would blow. The death of George Doenges in a house fire four miles west of Papillion, on January 11, 1941, had a deep impact on the community. The tragedy sparked conversations about forming a volunteer fire department. , On January 22, 1942, the Commercial Club Fire Department Committee held a meeting and officially formed a volunteer fire department. Fire Chief Paul Hellbusch led the first 25-man department. His tenure as Chief was cut short when he was drafted in the Army the same year. He continued to volunteer on the fire department once he returned from service. Shortly after organizing, the department held fundraisers to buy a fire truck. The department also started having an annual firefighter's dance in 1942 to thank the community for its support. In the early part of 1943, the fire department moved into a new fire station located near the west side of the intersection of Second and Adams streets, which was expanded in January 1959 to make room for additional apparatuses. Papillion's City Hall was also housed in this building. In February 1967, a new Papillion Volunteer Fire Department was built at 146 N. Adams St. Interested in more history about firefighting in Papillion? Go to the Papillion Volunteer Fire Department Museum located at 1001 Limerick Rd., Papillion. , The Advent of Papillion Days , There were day-long precursors to what would become the annual Papillion Days in the 1930s; however, credit for the first Papillion Days event goes to the 1947 Papillion Volunteer Fire Department. The department brought the community together for a free barbecue held in City Park to celebrate the arrival of its new American LaFrance pumper truck and thank community members for the donations that helped pay for it. Parades and other community activities were held that day, which the community dubbed “Papillion Day.” This began a tradition that has been held annually ever since. More than 2,000 people showed up fir the first event, and Papillion only recorded about 800 residents at the time. Papillion Days has evolved into a nearly week-long celebration hosted by the Papillion Community Foundation with numerous events held each day.