Old Fourth Ward in Atlanta in Fulton County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Historic Fire Station No. 6
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 8, 2012
1. Historic Fire Station No. 6 Marker
Fire Station No. 6 was one of seven fire stations built in Atlanta, Georgia during the 1890s to serve the city's bustling growth of suburban neighborhoods. One of the early means of transportation for the firemen was the horse-drawn hose wagon. When Martin Luther King, Jr. was growing up in this neighborhood of Sweet Auburn, a 1927 American LaFrance fire engine (like the one on display inside) was used by the firemen who worked here at this fire station.
In the 1930s and 1940s Atlanta was a segregated city and African American children could only "dream" of becoming fire-fighters for the Atlanta Fire Department. However, the modern Civil Rights Movement led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the late 1950s and 1960s paved the way for integrating the workforce of public institutions and establishments such as the Atlanta Fire Department. In 1963 the Atlanta Fire Department hired sixteen African American firefighters.
Fire Station No. 6 was officially closed in 1991 after serving the neighborhood of Sweet Auburn and surrounding communities for nearly a century (1894-1991).
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans
this page online
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 33° 45.323′ N, 84° 22.321′ W. Marker was in Atlanta, Georgia, in Fulton County. It was in the Old Fourth Ward. Marker was at the intersection of Boulevard NE and Auburn Avenue NE, on the right when traveling north on Boulevard NE. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Atlanta GA 30312, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Fire Station No. 6 (here, next to this marker); The Training Ground (within shouting distance of this marker); Shotgun Houses (within shouting distance of this marker); Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church (within shouting distance of this marker); The Birthplace (within shouting distance of this marker); The Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Middle-Class Dwelling (within shouting distance of this marker); Birth Home of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Atlanta.
Regarding Historic Fire Station No. 6.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 8, 2012
2. Historic Fire Station No. 6 and Marker
Also see . . .
1. City of Atlanta Fire Rescue Department. (Submitted on April 25, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site. (Submitted on April 25, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 8, 2012
3. 1927 American LaFrance Fire Engine at Historic Fire Station No. 6
Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 25, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 986 times since then and 55 times this year. Last updated on July 20, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 25, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
