Hose Station No. 1

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Hose Station No. 1
Hose Station No. 1 is located in Iowa
Hose Station No. 1
Hose Station No. 1 is located in the United States
Hose Station No. 1
Location117 Perry St.
Davenport, Iowa
Coordinates41°31′15″N 90°34′20″W / 41.52083°N 90.57222°W / 41.52083; -90.57222
Arealess than one acre
Built1877
ArchitectJohn W. Ross
Architectural styleItalianate
Part ofDavenport Motor Row and Industrial Historic District (ID100004113)
MPSDavenport MRA
NRHP reference No.83002449[1]
DRHP No.30[2]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPJuly 7, 1983
Designated DRHPJune 2, 1999

The Hose Station No. 1 is a historic building located in downtown Davenport, Iowa, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 and on the Davenport Register of Historic Properties in 1999.[1][2] In 2019 it was included as a contributing property in the Davenport Motor Row and Industrial Historic District.[3]

History[edit]

Davenport's first city charter in 1839 permitted the town's trustees to establish a fire department.[4] Not long after, all the residents of the town were required to maintain two buckets for fire protection. It wasn't until 1856 that volunteers were organized into the Independent Fire Engine and Hose Company, a privately operated organization. In the following years, a dozen other volunteer companies were formed, and a system of water mains and fire hydrants were put in that allowed for modern fire-fighting techniques.

Hose Station No. 1 was built in 1877 and the following year it housed the Fire King Engine 2nd Hose Company, which was still a volunteer crew. In 1878 the team became known as Hose Company No. 1 when it became a paid unit.[5] Hose Station No. 1 was replaced by the Central Fire Station when it opened in 1902. In 1912 St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Davenport purchased the station's old bell and placed it in the new church building that was under construction at the time.[6] The second floor of the building became the clubhouse of Battery B, First Artillery Inc., a group of National Guard veterans who served in the 1916 Mexican border campaign.[7] The first floor housed automotive uses from the 1930s to the 1950s. The building, which had fallen into disrepair, was renovated in the late 20th century.

Architecture[edit]

Hose Station No. 1 was designed by Davenport architect John W. Ross. This is the earliest recorded commission of his.[8] Ross is also known for his other civic designs: Davenport City Hall and the 1886 Scott County Courthouse.[5]

Hose Station No. 1 is an Italianate structure built of red brick on a stone foundation. The rectangular structure has a central tower on the west elevation. The Italianate features of the building are the second-floor windows with their elongated shape, flat arch hoods, and 2/2 light configurations.[5] The tower combines heavily hooded windows and there is a decorative brickwork cornice across the façade.

Firefighting equipment was stored behind two large doors on the main level of the building. The second floor provided dormitory space for the firefighters. The tower was designed so the fire hoses could be hung to dry.[9] The words “Fire King” were displayed on the tower above the door.[5]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ a b Historic Preservation Commission. "Davenport Register of Historic Properties and Local Landmarks". City of Davenport. Retrieved 2023-03-21. (Click on "Historic Preservation Commission" and then click on "Davenport Register of Historic Properties and Local Landmarks.")
  3. ^ Jennifer Irsfeld James. "National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form: Davenport East Side Industrial and Motor Row Historic District (Draft)" (Document). City of Davenport.
  4. ^ Svendsen, Marlys A.; Pfiffner, John; Bowers, Martha H. (1982). Davenport, where the Mississippi runs west: A Survey of Davenport History & Architecture. Davenport, Iowa: City of Davenport. p. 7.2.
  5. ^ a b c d "Hose Station No. 1" (PDF). Davenport Public Library. Retrieved 2010-10-05.
  6. ^ "Golden Jubilee Anniversary 1908-1958: St. Alphonsus Parish, Davenport, Iowa". Scott County Iowa USGenWeb Project. Retrieved 2010-10-05.
  7. ^ Wundrum, Bill (June 8, 1999). "Architecture — on a bun". Quad-City Times. Davenport. Retrieved 2010-10-06.
  8. ^ Martha Bowers; Marlys Svendsen-Roesler. "National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form: Hose Station No. 1". National Park Service. Retrieved 2017-11-04. with photo
  9. ^ Svendsen, Pfiffner & Bowers 1982, p. 10.3.