Hope in Holland in Ottawa County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Holland City Hall and Firehouse No. 2

Holland City Hall & Firehouse No. 2 marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joel S., August 9, 2013

1. Holland City Hall & Firehouse No. 2 marker

Inscription. The city of Holland bought this lot in 1882, and contractor James Huntley began construction of a fire hall the next year. Completed in 1884, the building housed Holland's city offices and library until 1912 and served as a fire hall until 1978. During World War II the west annex was built. In 1983 the firehouse was rehabilitated for use as office space. Grooves in the engine house floor that provided traction for the horses have been filled, and the doors, once replaced to accommodate trucks, have been restored.

Reverse
On March 8, 1884, some 150 people attended the Columbia Fire Engine Company's oyster supper celebration honoring Holland's new city hall and firehouse. The solid brick building reflects the desire for "fire proof" construction following the 1871 fire that devastated the city. The city clerk and a special committee consulted with the Grand Rapids firm of Robinson and Barnaby, and designed the structure with a tower to accommodate drying fifty-foot unfolded fire hoses. Originally, a cupola topped the tower.

Erected 1983 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L551.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Charity & Public Work. In addition,

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it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1882.

Location. 42° 47.416′ N, 86° 6.144′ W. Marker is in Holland, Michigan, in Ottawa County. It is in Hope. Marker is on East 8th Street, 0.1 miles east of College Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 106 E 8th St, Holland MI 49423, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Knickerbocker Theater (within shouting distance of this marker); Ninth Street Christian Reformed Church (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Van Vleck Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Outpost (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hope College (approx. 0.2 miles away); Warm Friend (approx. ¼ mile away); Western Theological Seminary (approx. ¼ mile away); Central Avenue Christian Reformed Church (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Holland.

Holland City Hall and Firehouse No. 2 Marker (reverse) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lugnuts, July 20, 2020

2. Holland City Hall and Firehouse No. 2 Marker (reverse)

Holland City Hall and Firehouse No. 2 Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lugnuts, July 20, 2020

3. Holland City Hall and Firehouse No. 2 Marker

Holland City Hall and Firehouse No. 2 and marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lugnuts, July 20, 2020

4. Holland City Hall and Firehouse No. 2 and marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2013, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 718 times since then and 73 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 30, 2013, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 4, 2020, by Lugnuts of Germantown, Wisconsin. • Al Wolf was the editor who published this page.