The old Downtown Fire Department shown here was on Commerce Avenue at State Street. Previously, the Fire Dept HQ was based in City Hall on the north end of Market Square. In the background of the postcard is the ornate YMCA building, previously the Palace Hotel. That building caught fire in 1975, killing one person, and was soon demolished. In 1977, the Fire Department was razed too, to make room for road improvements along what became Summit Hill Drive. A bid by local preservationists to place the Fire Hall on the National Register of Historic Places was successful, but only two days after it was demolished.
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Where would this building have been located?
Hi David,
The old Downtown Fire Department shown here was on Commerce Avenue at State Street. Previously, the Fire Dept HQ was based in City Hall on the north end of Market Square. In the background of the postcard is the ornate YMCA building, previously the Palace Hotel. That building caught fire in 1975, killing one person, and was soon demolished. In 1977, the Fire Department was razed too, to make room for road improvements along what became Summit Hill Drive. A bid by local preservationists to place the Fire Hall on the National Register of Historic Places was successful, but only two days after it was demolished.
Cheers
Paul