THE ENGINE HOUSE

On December 7, 1878 The men of the Auburn fire department were called at 4:00 P.M. for a fire. What they didn't know was that the fire was at their own fire house. The engine house was constructed entirely of wood, and was divided into sections providing stables and hayloft, quarters of Steamer Company #1 and hose carriage, and meeting rooms. On the day of the fire the steward of the company was heading out to kick some boys out of the stable when he smelt smoke. Opening the stable door , he was greeted by heavy smoke and raging flame. The alarm struck at 4:00P.M. By 4:10; the entire building was a mass of flames. The surrounding neighbors also experienced much loss with the loss of two apartment buildings. The horses that pulled the fire equipment escaped but spent the evening running free through the streets of Auburn. The total loss to the city of Auburn was over $7,000. It was insured for around $3,000. In the final debris was found the remains of the boys hay seed cigars and pipes. In 1879 mayor Thomas Littlefield approved a new fire station but recommended this one be made out of brick. The “Engine House” was built at a cost of $6,786.67. It went on to serve as Auburn's central fire station from the days of horse-drawn pumpers to the late 1960s. Since that time it has been used for offices and a restaurant. With its bell tower designed in the stick style, it is one of the last remaining firehouses of the 19th century and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.