In the 19th century, Northampton introduced major features in its fire infrastructure and continued expanding and altering this framework as the town developed and technology improved. The current fire station on King Street is a dramatic upgrade from the Masonic Street firehouse that operated from 1872 to 1999. The conversion of the former firehouse into a cafe and offices reflects a shift towards an increasingly dense downtown and the need for larger facilities outside the central business district. Similarly, the ever expanding water works system of Northampton shows how the growing fire infrastructure mirrored a growing population. This evolution in architecture and infrastructure illustrates how Northampton was gradually “fireproofed.”
Northampton established its fire department in 1857, and the historic firehouse on Masonic Street was constructed in 1872 for $12,000. The existing structure maintains historic architectural features such as a rear bell tower and a patterned cornice on the facade.
By the time the fire station closed in 1999, the structure had fallen into disrepair. It was condemned in 1927, and an account from 1995 described exposed wires and water running down the walls of the cellar. It also suffered from a lack of space with cramped offices and files stored in the attic. A 1999 article from the Daily Hampshire Gazette remarked, “At the Masonic Street station, there is an air of utilitarianism. The architecture is devoted primarily to the housing of machines, and secondarily to the housing of people.” This growing dissatisfaction with the Masonic Street building indicates its inability to meet the needs of modern firefighting, where a large staff required room for both storing equipment and dealing with bureaucratic matters as a governmental department.
Despite its shortcomings, the historic firehouse became a fixture of downtown and many developed sentimental attachments. Shortly before moving to the new firehouse in 1999, firefighter Paul Maynard explained, “The young guys, they’re pretty excited about the new station. But not the old guys. They’ll miss it here.” Maynard had served on the force for 28 years. The 127-year life of the structure as a firehouse made a lasting impact on residents.
The question of how to adapt the firehouse loomed large once it was vacated. Residents voiced many opinions on what should be done: one volunteer firefighter suggested leaving one or two engines and a skeleton crew on Masonic Street to respond to downtown fires; another resident proposed making it a permanent homeless shelter; the city also suggested conversion to offices, apartments, or retail space.
Ultimately, the prime real estate went to the Media Education Foundation, a national nonprofit organization. After gutting the space, the MEF renovated the former firehouse into editing suites, a research room, a community room, and office space for 12 full-time employees. Thomas Douglas Architects were hired to convert both the main firehouse and the rear maintenance building, which became a private residence. Woodstar Cafe now occupies the front retail space, where seating takes place in the former garbage bays and former garage doors flood the cafe with light as windows. According to Thomas Douglas Architects, this “new incarnation epitomized the revitalized image and feel of the downtown Northampton.”
Photo courtesy of Thomas Douglas Architects.
According to local historian Laurie Sanders, economic interests were the impetus for developing Northampton’s water works system. Business owners were concerned with protecting their property and goods. In 1867, three fires broke out that damaged large blocks of the downtown. In response, a committee formed to explore water systems in the nearby Connecticut towns of Waterbury and Hartford. In 1871, the water works system was established when the principal pipes were laid. The following table presents information from Sanborn Maps, created by the Sanborn Fire Insurance Company.
Year |
Population |
Water system |
Firefighting apparatus (center city) |
1884 |
13,500 |
Storage reservoir 16.5 million gallonsDistributing reservoir 5 million gallons |
1 3rd class steam fire engine4 independent Hose Companies1 hand engine1 hook & ladder truck*all drawn by horses |
1889 |
15,000 |
Storage reservoir 18 million gallonsDistributing reservoir 5 million gallons34 miles of water pipe across entire system157 fire hydrants in Northampton and Bay State Village, 212 total |
98 men, partly paid1 3rd class Silsby steamer3 independent hose carts1 hand engine1 hook & ladder truckFire alarm telegraph, 13 boxes, 8 miles of wire (whole system) |
1895 |
16,500 |
2 reservoirs: 89 million gallons and 16 million gallons46.5 miles of water pipes in entire system170 hydrants in Northampton and Bay State Village, 236 total |
98 men volunteer2 men paid, always on duty9 men sleep in engine houseNight police1 3rd class Silsby steam engine3 independent hose wagons1 hook & ladder truck6,000 ft of 2.5" hose "in good order"Fire alarm telegraph, 31 boxes (whole system) |
1902 |
20,000 |
2 reservoirs: 90 million gallons and 35 million gallons56 miles of water pipe300 double and triple hydrants |
22 call men, 7 fully paid men, 7 horses1 2nd class Silsby steam engine1 combination chemical and hose wagon1 hose wagon1 hook & ladder truck5,000 ft of good hoseGamewell fire alarm system, 50 boxes (whole system) |
1910 |
20,000 |
4 reservoirs total:1 with 350 million, 3 combined with 350 million gallons66 miles of water pipe348 hydrantsDaily consumption estimated 1,800,000 gallons |
32 call men, 8 regular men, 7 horses1 Metropolitan steam engine1 chemical engine1 hose wagon1 hook & ladder truck8,000 ft of 2.5" hoseGamewell fire alarm system, 52 boxes (whole system)*Streets are generally improved but not paved,public lights electric,fire limits are not established |
1934 |
25,000 |
4 reservoirs, total capacity 505 million gallonsApproximately 97 miles of pipe886 hydrantsAverage daily consumption 4,000,000 gallons |
Partly paid: 1 chief, 2 assistant chiefs, 1 district chief37 fully paid men, 20 volunteers1 Seagrave 750 gallon pumper1 Pope combination hose and chemical truck1 Reo combination hose and chemical truck1 Seagrave 75' aerial truck1 chief's Studebaker touring carGamewell fire alarm system, 74 boxes (whole system)*Practically all streets paved, public lights electric,fire limits established 1927 |
1870: Edwards Church destroyed
1876: First Congregational Church and Whitney Building destroyed
1895: Kirkland Block destroyed
1955: F. W. Woolworth Company destroyed
View of the ruins of the First Congregational Church, 1876. Image courtesy of Historic Northampton.
Northampton adopted an ordinance in 1927 prohibiting the construction of frame buildings and wooden shingle roofs within fire limits. Many towns in Massachusetts had enacted similar regulations. Boston, for instance, had banned wooden chimneys and thatched roofs in 1631. While this legislation arrived in Northampton late relative to much of New England, building technology in Northampton had long reflected a shift away from flammable materials. Forbes Library, opened in 1894, was touted as a fireproof building made from stone, slate, and copper and featuring a steel structure.
View of the Forbes Library roof during construction. Image courtesy of Forbes Library.
Statistics on the King Street fire station:
Features of this state-of-the-art facility include a three-story cathedral ceiling in the lobby, a full kitchen and fitness center, a modern communications room, and special red lights to signal a fire alarm in nighttime conditions. The new space is designed to facilitate prevention and education with several large offices where contractors can review their designs with the Fire Department to ensure they meet fire codes. A large conference room will also double as a classroom. The new space enables a more holistic approach to firefighting in Northampton.
