Firemen’s Hall
Ye Olde Firehouse Apartments (originally Firemen’s Hall). Google Street View. July 2011.
—
The Paid Fire Department Project—An Enthusiastic Meeting—The report—Speeches pro and con.
A large assemblage of tax-payers convened at the American House last Tuesday evening pursuant to a call of the Paid Fire Department Committee. […]
It soon became manifest in our examination of the subject that for efficient service the whole apparatus of the department should be concentrated in one place, and the committee are of the opinion that the lot owned by the village at the corner of River and Market streets [First Avenue and 115th Street] would be the proper place for its location, the building to be placed at the East end of the lot. An architect has made rough drafts and estimates of the cost of a building to contain the following accommodations, viz:
First story and cellar: A stable for six horses; a room of proper size for the engines, hose carts and hook and ladder wagon; a wagon and tool house; a cellar for coal and heating apparatus, and a reservoir for rain water.
Second story: Hay loft; sleeping room; room for use of Trustees; a public hall and a water tank.
The public hall and Trustee’s room are not properly within the scope of the fire department, but both might be had at a small increase of expense, and the committee thought it wise to include them in the plans, knowing the entire lack of accommodations for the Trustees who find it difficult to procure any room, however, unsuitable, for their meetings. The estimated cost of building, according to the plans drawn, is about ten thousand dollars. The heating apparatus, teams, wagons tools, furniture for Trustees’ room and public hall would be an additional expense. In relation to the active organization of the department, the committee believe that for at least one year after the adoption of the paid system it would be prudent to have the entire services of an engineer, competent to care for and keep the apparatus in order, so that the system may have a favorable opportunity to get into a complete working condition, it being well understood that to ensure success in any experiment precaution must be taken and larger expenditure incurred in the beginning than after the experiment has proved a success. […]
Lansingburgh Gazette. March 28, 1873: 3 cols 3-4. [The Village of Lansingburgh would never otherwise have a dedicated Village Hall, nor would the Town of Lansingburgh ever have a Town Hall – though one was proposed.]
Notice is hereby given that a meeting of the Electors of the Village of Lansingburgh qualified to vote thereat, will be held on Tuesday the 22d day of April 1873 at the American House in said village, polls to open at 9 o’clock in the afternoon, to vote on the following propositions.
First, Shall the Trustees borrow the sum of $20,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay for the erection of a suitable building on the lot owned by the village on the northeast corner of River and Market streets, in which to concentrate the apparatus of the fire department, including accommodations for teams and men and rooms for the meeting of the Trustees and other public meetings, and to pay for furniture and apparatus (including fire alarm telegraph connecting extremities of village with this building) horses, harnesses and wagons. Said borrowed money to be repaid, an equal amount thereof in each of the years 1874, 1875, and 1876, and for that purpose a tax to be levied and collected in each of said years at such time as the Trustees shall deem expedient? […]
Lansingburgh Gazette. April 4, 1873: 3 cols 3-4.
—Bergmann’s automaton will be exhibited in Lansingburgh, at Firemen’s Hall, next week, commencing on Thursday. He calls it “The Spiritualistic Automaton”—the old man being a believer in spiritualism, and declaring that he is greatly “bothered” by the spirits.
“City Notes.” Troy Daily Tines. April 7, 1874: 3 col 1.
—
FIREMEN’S HALL,
LANSINGBURGH.
Positively One Day Only,
SATURDAY, MAY 30,
—
TWO PERFORMANCES,
Afternoon at 3, Evening at 8 o’clock
Doors open at 2 and 7 o’clock.
SYLVESTER BLEEKER, — Manager.
The Great Original and Renowned.
General Tom Thumb & Wife.
Commodore Nutt and
Minnie Warren.
Just returned to America, after a Three Years’ Tour
Around the world, will appear in a variety of
FASCINATING PERFORMANCES.
CONSISTING OF
SONGS, DUETS, DANCES, DIALOGUES, COMIC
ACTS and LAUGHABLE SKETCHES.
At each Entertainment, the Ladies will wear several
NEW AND ELEGANT COSTUMES.
MAGNIFICENT DIAMONDS., &c., as worn by
them before the Potentates of the World.
—
POPULAR PRICES:
Admission Only 25 Cents
CHILDREN, under 10 years……………. 15 Cents
Reserved Seats, …………………… 50 Cents
Children under 10 to Reserved Seats, … 25 Cents
Ladies and Children are considerately advised to attend the Day Exhibition, and thus avoid the crowd and confusion of the Evening Performance.
GEO. MITCHELL, Agent.
Lansingburgh Gazette. May 23, 1874: 3 col 5.
OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT.
—
It is Run by Lightning—Firemen’s Hall—The Steamers—The Telegraph—The Electric Unhitching Apparatus—The Officers—The Hook and Ladder Company.
We believe that a local newspaper should devote a portion of its space to descriptions of the various institutions which flourish in the place where it is published. […]
The building occupied by the Fire Department and known as Firemen’s Hall, is situated on the north-east corner of Market and River streets. It is a two-story brick building having a frontage of 10 feet on Market street, is fifty feet deep and forty feet high. It was built in 1873, and its architectural design is very neat and appropriate. […]
Lansingburgh Gazette. December 19, 1874: 3 cols 2-3.
A full board assembled on Monday evening to attend the first regular meeting of the village fathers. We noticed that four new globes graced the chandelier in the trustee room, which may be considered a worthy improvement.
Lansingburgh Courier. March 17, 1876: 3 col 3.
—The world-famed New Orleans minstrels will be at Fireman’s Hall Wednesday evening. The only “Happy” Cal Wagner is connected with this troupe of truly excellent artists, and the other talent is of the highest order. […]
—Be sure and take in the New Orleans minstrel at Firemens’ Hall Wednesday evening.
“Amusements.” Lansingburgh Courier. April 11, 1879: 3 col 2.
—The trustees, who made Major Munn chairman of the committee to make some needed changes in the trustees’ room, have to thank that gentleman for the comfortable and at the same time reasonable manner in which the work has been done. A neat railing now divides the trustees portion of the room in the fire department building, from the spectators, while the portion fenced in is nicely oilclothed. A raised platform and desk for the president and clerk adds much to the dignity of the surroundings. Get the reporters’ corner fixed up, Major, and have the three-legged table repaired.
“Village Notes.” Lansingburgh Courier. May 23, 1879: 3 col 2.
—The trustees’ room is now in a condition that the board may feel proud of. But the broken leg of the reporter’s table has not yet been fixed.
“Village Notes.” Lansingburgh Courier. June 6, 1879: 3 col 1.
—The painting, graining, kalsomining and decorating of the steamer room at Firemen’s hall has just been completed in fine style by the Smith Brothers. The work of painting the steamers has not as yet been commenced.
Lansingburgh Courier. March 18, 1882: 3 col 2.
—The Arthur cadets have petitioned the trustees to allow them the use of Firemen’s hall for a drill room one night in each week. Complaint having been made that they disturbed the employees of the fire department after the latter had retired for the night action on the petition was deferred until the next regular meeting of the board.
“Village Notes.” Lansingburgh Courier. December 22, 1883: 3 col 2.
The Second floor of Firemen’s hall, pursuant to the directions of the board of trustees at the last meeting held, is being almost entirely transformed in arrangement of apartments. The change is made mainly for the purpose of furnishing additional storage for hay and straw, in order that advantage may be taken of the market in making purchases, and, also, that better facilities may be had for unloading than has existed heretofore. In the new arrangement the former bunk room and the hall leading thereto will be incorporated in the hay loft. The former trustees’ room will be converted into a bunk room. The entrance to the bunk room will be from the east directly at the head of the stairs. This arrangement will add greatly to the convenience of employees and facilitate matters very much in case of night alarms. A bath room and trustees room is to be constructed on the north side of the main hall. The bath room will adjoin the battery room on the west and the trustees’ room will be located west of the bath room. The present hallway will be extended past the bath room to the trustees’ room. This will afford space for an entrance to the bathroom on the north of the hallway and to the main hall on the south. The entrance to the trustees’ room will be at the end of the hallway. The change will leave the main hall 40×31 feet in dimensions. The platform under the present arrangement will be located at the west side instead of the north side as formerly. The change will be a decided improvement. The work is being rapidly pushed to completion by Horace Silliman carpenter and Darrow & Gallagher masons.
Lansingburgh Courier. February 9, 1884: 2 col 7.
A Special School Meeting will be held at Fireman’s hall, February 16, 1866. Notice is hereby given by the Board of Education of Union Free School District No. 1 of the town of Lansingburgh that a special meeting of the inhabitants of this district, entitled to vote at such meeting, will be held at Fireman’s hall on Tuesday evening, February 16, 1886, at half-past 7 o’clock.
The purpose for which this meeting is called is to determine whether the inhabitants will authorize the Board of Education to build an addition to the Diamond Street school house and furnish it. And to make a partial re-arrangement of the rooms on the first floor of the Fourth ward school house, and whether they will vote the necessary tax to pay for the same, and whether the amount shall be levied in one sum or by installments.
At said meeting the Board will recommend that an addition 35×55 feet and 3 stories high be huilt on the West front of the Diamond street school house, giving sittings for 250 pupils. The estimated cost of such building is $7,500 and for furnishing, $1,500. The estimated cost of the changes proposed at the Fourth ward School house is $500.
The board will also recommend that the tax to cover said estimated cost be levied in installments of $1,000 per year with the annual school tax, beginning with the present year.
ROBERT C. HASKELL, President,
GEO. H. MALLORY, Clerk.
Lansingburgh, Feb. 2, 1886.
Lansingburgh Courier. February 6, 1886: 3 col 2.
Present—Wm. H. Van Kleeck, President; and Trustees Jordan, Orr, Hall, Draper, Demers, McCabe—6. […]
By Trustee McCabe—
Resolved, That the use of Firemen’s hall be granted the Democratic party for holding their caucus on Tuesday, Sept. 20, and the anti-poverty be granted use of same when they want it. Carried; 6 yeas.
Adjourned.
O. McMURRAY, Village Clerk.
Lansingburgh Courier. September 24, 1887: 3 col 6. [Anti-Poverty might have been a Henry George club.]
Trustee Reichart’s action in employing Comeskey & Whitaker to repair the roof of Firemen’s Hall and the hose tower was approved.
“Local News and Seasonable Jottings.” Lansingburgh Courier. April 17, 1890: 3 col 3.
Trustee Palmer reportd the building west of Firemen’s Hall finished, and at $14.98 less than the appropriation. The building was accepted.
“The ‘Burgh Law Makers.” Lansingburgh Courier. September 11, 1890: 3 col 3.
—Three rooms are being finished off in Fireman’s hall for village purposes. The largest room will be used for a court room by the police justice and adjoining this will be a jury room. The village attorney will have the use of the other room. The rooms will be ready for occupancy in about two weeks.
“Local News and Seasonable Jottings.” Lansingburgh Courier. June 2, 1892: 3 col 1.
The Fire Commissioners have decided to remove the striker on the bell at Firemen’s hall to the bell in the tower of the Powers opera house. The location of Firemen’s hall, near the river bank is such that unless the wind be favorable the sound of the bell can be heard only a short distance. The bell in Firemen’s hall weighs only 2,500 pounds, while the Powers opera house bell weighs 3,200 pounds. The change is the result of a petition signed by 100 of the largest taxpayers in Lansingburgh. The commissioners are awaiting the result of an effort to erect a tower upon the Danish church. Should the project be consummated the bell in Firemen’s hall will be removed to that church and a striker attached for use in event of a fire in the northern part of the village.
“Lansingburgh.” Troy Daily Times. September 17, 1896: 4 cols 1-2.
An Old Safe Removed.
An old safe which for more than a quarter of a century had stood in the corner of a room in the upper floor of fire headquarters on [One Hundred] Fifteenth Street was removed to-day by James T. Murray, who recently purchased it from the city. The safe was a relic of the old days of the village of Lansingburgh, having been used for years by the Trustees, who held their meetings in the rooms. In a way it was historical, as many of the most important documents of the village were stored away within its iron sides for safety. Since the day the safe was placed in the room it has never been moved, and it lost its place in village affairs only when the Greater Troy act removed Lansingburgh from the map. Since that time the rooms have been used by the Mason Hose Company. Weatherworn and rusty, on the front of the safe is the words “Lillie safe manufacturer, 1851.” Weighing about five tons, the removal of the safe required the use of large timbers, chains, pulleys and the services of five men, and it was no easy task to get it to the street. Mr. Murray will probably use the safe in his office.
Troy Times. September 24, 1907: 5 col 1.