South Arroyo in Pasadena in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Old Firehouse

Photographed by Liam Williams, May 31, 2026

1. The Old Firehouse Marker

Inscription. Completed in 1889, Pasadena's first firehouse has been home to Engine Company No. 1, a Prohibition-era speakeasy, military command headquarters, a post World War VFW hall, a produce market and a location for many Hollywood motion pictures and television shows. In its historic, original role, the firehouse accommodated men, horses and equipment under the same roof for the first time. Trained to race from open stalls right into their traces, horses could be harnessed to rigs in a matter of seconds, setting a new standard for fire protection.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.

Location. 34° 8.623′ N, 118° 9.084′ W. Marker is in Pasadena, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in South Arroyo. It is on West Dayton Street west of Fair Oaks Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 35 W Dayton Street, Pasadena CA 91105, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles

and in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American

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Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Baker Alley (within shouting distance of this marker); Friendship Baptist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); 107 S. Fair Oaks Ave (within shouting distance of this marker); 1909 Seagrave (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Yuen Kee Laundry (about 300 feet away); Original Site of Throop University (about 400 feet away); Martin Alley (about 500 feet away); McCormick Alley (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pasadena.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Mills Place (was about 300 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Photographed by Liam Williams, May 31, 2026

2. The Old Firehouse Marker

The Old Firehouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Liam Williams, May 31, 2026

3. The Old Firehouse

Marker is at far left.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2026, by Liam Williams of Irvine, California. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 10, 2026, by Liam Williams of Irvine, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.