BUREAU OF FIRE

Fire Stations

A Brief Station History

In January and February of 1978, a series of heavy snowfalls collapsed the rear roof of Reily Fire Station No. 10, now the Pennsylvania National Fire Museum, severely damaging the station. The damage to the Reily Station prompted a serious inspection of all eight operating stations, of which five were built during the horse era which ended in 1917.

The inspections revealed a need for major repairs or renovations to all stations in order to meet the then current safety standards. After careful consideration of the inspection report, among other contributing factors, it was decided by the city fathers to consolidate the system of neighborhood fire stations.

Two brand new, all concrete, five bay stations would be built, both carefully and centrally located. Only the two “newest” of the older houses, both left over from the predominately volunteer days of the department, would be renovated and remain operational.

Present Day

The following stations, and the firefighters stationed at each, serve Harrisburg.

Station One

1820 North 6th Street
Harrisburg, PA  17102

Station One opened on March 17, 1980. Station One is built of pre-cast concrete and houses five apparatus bays. Companies running from the old Hope No. 2, Reily No. 10 and Camp Curtin No. 13 fire stations were moved to this centralized Uptown firehouse. It was dedicated to the late Mayor Paul E. “Tim” Doutrich, several years following its opening.

Station Two

140 North 16th Street
Harrisburg, PA  17103

Station Two, opened in April of 1980, one month after Station One. Identical in construction to Station One, it houses the combined companies from the former Shamrock No. 11 and Allison No. 12 firehouses located on Allison Hill. Station Two is centrally located within Harrisburg. Ten years following its opening, the station was dedicated to the late Reverend Franklin Henley in honor of his untiring work with the Civil Rights movement in the city.

Station Six

336 South Second Street
Harrisburg, PA  17104

Station Six, known as the Paxton, was home to the former Paxton Engine Company No. 6. It is a two story, white brick, two bay firehouse and is the only station located in the downtown district. The firehouse is the oldest in-service station; built in 1937 on the sight of the company’s first quarters which was built in 1864 and severely damaged in the 1936 flood.

Station Eight

9 South 13th Street
Harrisburg, PA  17104

Station No. 8, known as Mt. Pleasant, is home to the only remaining active city volunteer fire company, the Mt. Pleasant Fire and Rescue Company No. 8. Built in 1953, the station is a one story, white brick, single bay firehouse. The station replaces a once larger firehouse built in 1883 which was condemned in 1952.

Special thanks to Dave Houseal, HFD (Ret.), for the historical information on the city’s fire house history and historical facts on each station.