Old City Hall
220-226 Craven Street
Opened by 1885 / Closed 1928
Presently retail space

Built between 1816 and 1818 as a row of four brick stores, this Federal-period building is the earliest surviving commercial structure in New Bern.

By 1885, one of the stores was converted to an engine house for the Atlantic Steam Fire Engine Company. By 1888, the entire building was purchased by the city for use as a City Hall.

Around 1905, a brick-veneered facade was added to the building.

The three-story structure served as an engine house and later fire department headquarters until 1928, when all operations were consolidated into a single building at 420 Broad Street.

In 1935, the remaining city offices were moved to their present location at 300 Pollock Street.

The 8,050 square-foot building is presently used as retail space.
 

Old Engine House
405 Craven Street
Opened 1913 / Closed 1928
Presently part of restaurant

Built between 1888 and 1893, this three-story brick building served a variety of purposes during its early years. Occupants included the Hotel Neuse by 1898, the meeting rooms of the Elks' Lodge by 1904, and one of the city's two fire companies beginning in 1913.

The Atlantic Fire Company occupied the building from 1913 until 1928. Fire poles were installed between the three floors. The fire company relocated to a new station on the other side of Broad Street in 1928.

The 6,000 square-foot former fire station presently serves as banquet space for an adjoining restaurant.
 

Old Station 1
420 Broad Street
Built 1928 / Closed 2000
Presently planned for museum use

After decades of operating from separate facilities, the Atlantic and Button companies moved into a single fire station in 1928.

The two-story brick building was equipped with a tower for drying hose, four apparatus bays, and a second-floor porch.

Though the rivalries between the Atlantic and Button companies were put to rest, one concession was made to their competitive history: the station contained two separate brass fire poles, one for each company.

After City Hall was moved to Pollock Street in 1935, one of the three copper bears adorning the Craven Street structure was moved to the front of the fire station.

In June 2000, the fire companies and fire department offices relocated to a new Station 1 at 1401 Neuse Boulevard.

The 7,500 square-foot former fire station is presently empty and planned for expansion of the neighboring New Bern Firemen's Museum.
 

Old Station 2
500 Fort Totten Drive
Built 1951 / Closed 2000
Presently youth center

In the early 1950s, the New Bern Fire Department expanded from one to three stations. Both initially housed a GMC pumper and were staffed with a single paid person.

The GMC pumper at Station 2 served both the city and county. It was soon replaced by a city-only engine and the fire department ceased county protection at that time.

In 2000, the facility was closed as a new Station 1 opened around the corner on Neuse Boulevard.

A new Station 2 subsequently opened at 800 West Thurman Road.

The 1,151 square-foot former fire station presently serves as a youth center.
 

Old Station 3
1700 National Avenue
Built 1955 / Closed 2003
Presently planned for municipal use

The residential-style Station 3 opened in 1955, also with a GMC pumper and a single paid person.

Located in the Riverfront community, the station was closed in 2003 due to overlapping coverage from the new Station 1.

The 774 square-foot former fire station is planned for use by the Parks and Recreation Department.

Station 4 at 3101 Elizabeth Avenue is presently under consideration for renumbering as Station 3.