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Situated on the eastern coast of the United States, Charleston has always been subject to natural disasters. Hurricane season still has the city shuttering up and evacuating when an imposing storm approaches.
In its long and tumultuous history, Charleston has also had to face earthquakes, tornadoes and epidemics, but there was one thing that had an even greater impact on the city.
Fire.
The Great Fire of 1698, swept through Charleston only 28 years after it was first settled, devastating the city. Despite the purchase of firefighting equipment, decrees requiring chimneys to be built from brick or stone and night watches, more fires ravaged the city again in 1700, 1740 and in the 1770’s.
After volunteer fire companies were organized during the first half of the 19th century, over 1600 volunteers were available to protect property owners, however, when the Great Fire of 1861 devastated the city, it was the motivation that the city needed to establish a permanent firefighting organization.
As I walked down Meeting Street and perused the dinner menu for Jestine’s Kitchen posted in the window, I noticed in the reflection, the Firehouse across the street. What really caught my eye, actually, was the the cute Dalmatian statue gracing the front of the station!
This central fire house, along with two others, was built under the orders of Mayor William A. Courtenay and in 1882, the city’s first paid fire department was established.
Walking across the street for a closer look, I discovered a small park on the corner of Meeting and Wentworth streets, adjacent to the fire station. Constructed to honor Mayor Courtenay it houses a cast iron pavilion and a commemorative cast iron bell honoring the mayor’s achievements. There is also a fountain that was originally fed by an artesian well, one of several installed around the city to provide the residents with clean water in the 19th century.
After I visited the garden, I took a peek into the firehouse. In addition, to a modern, shiny fire engine parked in one of the Meeting Street bays, there was also two antiques parked in the bays on Wentworth.
A cool diversion for a hot topic!
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Charleston Fire Department, Station 2/3
- Address: 264 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401