Boston in Suffolk County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

Electric Fire Alarm System 1852

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, June 13, 2021

1. Electric Fire Alarm System 1852 Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

On April 28, 1852, in Johnson Hall formerly on this site, the first municipal electric fire alarm system using call boxes with automatic signaling to indicate the location of a fire was placed into service. Invented by William Channing and Moses Farmer, this system was highly successful in reducing property loss and deaths due to fire and was subsequently adopted throughout the United States and in Canada.

Erected 2004 by Institute of Electricial and Electronic Engineers.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Communications. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1640.

Location. 42° 21.471′ N, 71° 3.585′ W. Marker is in Boston, Massachusetts, in Suffolk County. Marker is on School Street. Marker is near the Old City Hall. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Boston MA 02108, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Welcome to Boston's Old City Hall (here, next to this marker); Boston Public Latin School (here, next to this marker); The Parker House (a few steps from this marker); Public Latin School

Old City Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, August 16, 2014

2. Old City Hall

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this page online

(a few steps from this marker); Benjamin Franklin (a few steps from this marker); King's Chapel (a few steps from this marker); Omni Hotels: The Parker House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Ice King, the Castle Captain, and the She-Merchant (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boston.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 28, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 28, 2014, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 392 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 28, 2021, by J. Makali Bruton of Querétaro, Mexico. 2. submitted on August 28, 2014, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.