6802 Davis Circle

Photographed 2002

History: Constructed in 1965, the two-bay metal building was located on a donated lot behind Tom Bailey's service station.  It was supplemented by a second fire station constructed at 8312 Pinecrest Road in 1982. The fire department, organized in 1964, relocated the building to the rear of a new completed fire station at 11905 Norwood Road.

1515 Blue Ridge Road

Photographed 2002

History: Constructed in 1961 as a two-bay building, the fire station was expanded in the mid-1970s to include a day room and two additional apparatus bays.  The building was utilized as a fire station until 1992, when the Fairgrounds Fire Department, moved to 4120 District Drive.  The fire department, organized in 1961 by members of the disbanded Western Boulevard Fire Department, merged with the Yrac Fire Department in 1998 to form the Western Wake Fire Rescue.

County Courthouse lot

History: Built in 1870, the two-story structure first housed the Rescue Steam Fire Engine Company. Volunteer firefighters operated their horse-drawn steamer and subsequent hose wagons from the location for over four decades. When a full-time, fully-paid Raleigh Fire Department was placed in service on December 23, 1912, the engine house became Fire Station 2. One year later, the station was demolished as the county reclaimed the property for a new courthouse.

112 West Morgan Street

Photographed 2002

Fire Station 1 opened on December 23, 1913 at 112 West Morgan Street, one of the first three engine houses of the newly organized, fully-paid Raleigh Fire Department. Built in 1896, the former quarters of the Capital Hose and Hook and Ladder companies included a tower for training and drying hose. It also housed the equipment of the city's Gamewell, electric-telegraph fire alarm system. In 1939, the Morgan Street station had been condemned by the city building inspector. In 1941, the property was sold to the state for $35,000, for an addition to the adjacent Revenue Building. Station 1 relocated to old Station 2 at 412 South Salisbury Street on August 12, 1941. The West Morgan Street station was demolished that summer.

412 South Salisbury Street

Photographed 2002

History: Fire Station 2 opened on December 23, 1912 in the former quarters of the Rescue Company located on the County courthouse lot on Fayetteville Street. When the County reclaimed the site to construct a new courthouse in 1914, a replacement Station 2 was constructed at 412 S. Salisbury Street and opened around August 1914. After August 14, 1932, Station 2 was again moved to the rear of the newly constructed Memorial Auditorium. The city retained ownership of the South Salisbury Street station, which was later used as the city paint shop. On August 12, 1941, the building reopened as Fire Station 1.

Basement of Memorial Auditorium

Photographed 2002

History: After August 14, 1932, Fire Station 2 moved from 412 South Salisbury Street to the rear of the newly opened Memorial Auditorium. The $300,000, Greek Doric-designed building included a two-bay fire station underneath the state. The fire station faced Fayetteville Street on the stage-right side of the auditorium, while the stage-left side of the building was designed for use as a drill tower. This station also housed the fire department repair facilities.

135 East Hargett Street

Photographed 2002

History: Fire Station 3 opened on December 23, 1912 at 135 East Hargett Street, one of the first three engine houses of the newly organized, fully-paid Raleigh Fire Department.. Built around 1898, the two-story station was the former quarters of the volunteer Victor Company. In later decades, the station also housed the city's weigh station. On July 26, 1951, Station 3 relocated to 13 South East Street. The West Hargett Street station was demolished in 1952 and replaced by a used car lot.

505 Jefferson Street

Photographed March 21, 2004

History:  Fire Station 4 opened on June 15, 1926 at 505 Jefferson Street. On April 16, 1963, the station was relocated to 2913 Wake Forest Road. The old Jefferson Street station was subsequently sold at public auction to a private party and remains privately owned.

2013 Wake Forest Road

Photographed 2002

History:  On April 16, 1963, Fire Station 4 was relocated to 2913 Wake Forest Road. The $63,000, two-bay, brick station was one of three fire stations opened in the spring of 1963. Located just north of the Six Forks Road intersection, the facility included a warning sign and lights over Wake Forest Road. On June 24, 1993, the station was relocated again to 101 Northway Court. The Wake Forest Road station was converted to a Career Development Center and also included an office for the Hazardous Materials Coordinator. On April 1, 1997, the career center closed and the haz-mat coordinator relocated to a Public Works facility on West Street. The Wake Forest Road station was subsequently sold to a commercial owner.

300 Oberlin Road

Photographed 2002

History: Fire Station 5 opened on November 18, 1926 at the corner of Oberlin Road and Park Drive. The two-story, single-bay station was addressed 1914 Park Drive. By the late 1950s and due to the need of an aerial ladder at the station, planning for a replacement facility was underway. On July 24, 1961, Engine 5 relocated to Station 6 as construction of a new Station 5 was nearly complete on the same lot. On September 26, 1961, Station 5 opened at 300 Oberlin Road. Demolition of the old station was performed by firefighters and the bricks were saved and later used to build a smokehouse next to the training tower.

2513 Fairview Road

Photographed 2003

History: Fire Station 6 opened at 12:00 p.m. on March 3, 1943 in a rented building at 2513 Fairview Road. The opening day ceremonies included short speeches by the Mayor, the Commissioner of Public Works, and the State Fire Marshall. Built in 1936, the 4,440-square-foot building was last used as a drug store. Six men manned the station. By the summer of 1948, the station was closed when the city lost the lease on the building. Engine 6 was temporarily relocated to Station 5. On June 25, 1949 at 3:30 p.m., a dedicated station opened at 2602 Fairview Road.

1007 Method Road

Photographed 2002

History: Fire Station 8 opened on April 1, 1960 at 903 Kent Road in a rented residence. Engine 8 was placed in service with the apparatus and crew of Engine 9, a 1958 American LaFrance pumper housed at Station 1. The crew was ordered to the station by Fire Chief Jack Keeter at 11:55 p.m. on March 31, 1960, five minutes after the City Council approved annexation of an area in west Raleigh. Two shifts of six men manned the station. After February 14, 1963, a dedicated station was completed at 5001 Western Boulevard. The $63,000 building included an approximate 4,500-square-foot basement area with a double-wide apparatus bay for storing reserve apparatus. Old Station 8 is presently addressed 1008 Method Road and houses a grocery store.

5305 Six Forks Road

Photographed 2002

History:  The third location of the Six Forks Volunteer Fire Department, organized in 1956, was completed in 1962.  The three-bay building was utilized until 1974, when the fire department moved to 1431 Lynn Road.  The old fire station is presently used as an EMS station. The fire department merged with the Bay Leaf Fire Department in 2002.