Fire Station Locations

Formal housing of apparatus and equipment came with the first organization of Delaware's Fire protection in 1834. The space needed in the beginning was small but soon grew.

1831 First mention of Fire Department, June 17th nothing accomplished.

1834 Home of Henry Moore, Captain #1 District north of Winter Street. One hand engine.

1834 Home of Ed Potter, Captain #2 District south of Winter Street. One hand engine.

1838 Southwest corner of William and Sandusky Streets.

1838 Northwest corner of Central Avenue and North Franklin St.

1846 West end of the Market House in the center of West William Street about 20 feet west of S. Sandusky Street. This location was used to house the new Hunneman hand engine and hook and ladder.

1858 New brick structure built at Franklin and North (Central Ave.) Streets. Cost $1,500.

1858 New brick structure built at S. Washington St. and Hill (University Ave.) Street. This is the same land on which the present station is located (1991). Cost $1,500.

1868 New structure built for east side at the southeast corner of Lake S t. and E. Central A venue. Cost $3,300.

*Old City Hall built in 1882 with a three bay fire station, which opened out onto S. Sandusky St. This building was used until Feb. 24, 1934 when it was destroyed by fire*.

1882 Old City Hall was constructed with three bay fire station facing S. Sandusky Street (destroyed by fire in 1934). At this point all fire equipment housed under one roof.

Number two fire station built in 1908 on Potter St. on the east side of Delaware. It consisted of a one bay station and was used to house a horse-drawn ladder/chemical wagon. This station was abandoned in 1924 to bring all equipment to the City Hall station. This building is still standing on Potter St. and is used by the American Ambulance Co.

1908 East side station built on Potter Street. A two-family residence located on the property facing E. Central at the corner of Potter Street. The two firemen assigned to the station were required to live in this residence. Horse drawn hook and ladder and hose reel operated from this station. Cost of construction $3,767. This building is still standing and used by the American Ambulance Co. for emergency responses.

1924 Potter St. station abandoned with all apparatus and equipment transferred to the City Hall station. This resulted in the last horse drawn piece of equipment being abandoned.

1934 First temporary station in Paul B. White's garage at 17 W. William St. This is presently the site of Office Supplies Unlimited.

1934 - 37 Second temporary station was in the Erlay Hatchery Building, 27 Spring St., presently occupied by Delaware Motive Auto parts business.

1937 New City Hall (present City Hall) completed on the site of the Old City Hall which had been destroyed by fire three years to the day of occupancy. A two-bay fire station, with living quarters above. Cost of entire building $90,000.