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Last updated January 16, 2026
The first fire equipment purchased in Durham, North Carolina, was authorized in 1871. Town officials approved a pair of ladders and a half dozen chains. The latter were likely used for creating fire breaks and pulling down burning structures. With hooks attached, the chains could also be used to pull down burning roofing materials. Durham's first fire company was formed in 1876, when a meeting was held by citizens for the purpose of organizing a fire department. By 1880, the Durham Fire Company consisted of two groups: Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 and Bucket Company No. 1.
Over the next couple of decades, chemical wagons, hose wagons, steam engines, and horses were added. The first steam-powered fire engine was purchased in 1903. The first gasoline-powered motor truck was added to the roster 1912. The Durham Fire Department was fully-paid at that point, having reorganized as a career department six years earlier.
Durham's first modern fire station opened in December 1891, a two-story, red-brick structure built on the southeast corner of Mangum and Holloway streets. It was replaced with a newer building that opened in 1925. That engine house still stands, along with other former fire department structures that trace the history of the Durham Fire Department.
212 N. Mangum Street
Opened
1925 / Closed 1964
By August 1924, a new Station 1 was under construction on the site of the old central fire station. The building site was also larger than its predecessor, with additional land acquired by June 1924. The larger building replaced both the fire station and the separate building behind it, used by the hook and ladder company.
The new fire station cost $10,455 and included such design changes as a rear apparatus bay, and the bell tower and its 829-pound alarm bell now positioned in the front of the building. It opened on May 2, 1925. The building also housed a new alarm system, with the alarm bell as the only surviving component from the old system.
It closed on July 31, 1964, and apparatus and personnel relocated to new Station 1, located just around the corner at 139 East Morgan Street. The old fire bell was also moved and displayed outside the main entrance.
The 6,974-square-foot historic structure was converted for use by the police department. They relocated from the basement of City Hall in the first week of August 1964. The building also served as an office building for years. In 2009, it was remodeled as a restaurant.
139 East Morgan Street
Opened 1964
The fire station opened on July 31, 1964, with personnel and apparatus relocated from their old quarters that were located just around the corner. The building cost $260,000 and originally housed Engine 1, Engine 8, the aerial ladder truck, and the county fire truck. It was dedicated on August 8, 1964.
The site was purchased over a decade earlier on July 23, 1953. However, the planned use for the site was not specified at the time of purchase. Construction bids were awarded on July 1, 1963, for a total cost of $259,697. The general contractor was Muirhead Construction Company. The architect was R. W. Carr with the firm George Watts Carr & Associates.
By September 1963, construction was underway preparation for the foundation, floor, and support columns. The building was erected on a new triangle block that was created by the extension of Morgan Street across the old Planters Warehouse block.
The building was renovated from 1993 to 1995, with a new roof, the dormitory changed from open room to cubicles, the addition of private bathrooms and sleeping space for the station captains and the Battalion Chief, and six more bathrooms for the other firefighters. Also added were a classroom and a weight/workout room.
On October 11, 1994, the fire companies were moved to other stations and fire administration moved to the gymnasium at the training center. The interior renovation took eight months. Fire administration did not return, however. The city real estate office instead took over the former fire administration space.
1001 Ninth Street
Opened 1950
New Station 2 at 1001 Ninth Street was dedicated on September 28, 1950. The station housed an engine company, ladder company, and auxiliary truck, along with a reserve pumper and the old steam engine. The project was approved by council on April 15, 1948. The land was purchased for $7,680. The building cost $163,000.
In the spring of 1993, a six-month renovation project started that added partitioned bedrooms to the second floor and five individual bathrooms. These changes were made to accommodate female firefighters. The kitchen was also renovated. The renovation project cost about $600,000. The station reopened the week of November 22, 1993.
In 2010, the cupola was restored. The project cost $150,000.
103 S. Driver Street
Opened 1956 / Closed 1998
The fire station opened and was dedicated on April 23, 1956. It replaced the original Station 3 on East Martin Street. The property was purchased by December 31, 1954. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on June 1, 1955. Construction started in the summer of 1955. The building cost $71,846.
It closed in 1998. Both Engine 3 and Engine 8 relocated to a new Station 3 at 822 North Miami Boulevard. The 2,380-square-foot structure was repurposed for other city uses. By the early 2000s, it was used by the public works department.
1801 Fayetteville Street
Opened 1958 / Closed 1998
This fire station opened October 1, 1958, and replaced a 1926 engine house on McMannan Street.
It was staffed with ten newly hired firefighters and who were the first Black firefighters since the volunteer Excelsior Hook and Ladder Company of the early 1880s. It was dedicated on November 13, 1958.
The fire station was closed around November 1988, when Engine 4 relocated to their new station at 1818 Riddle Road.
The 1,088 square-feet building is presently used by North Carolina Central University. The building was remodeled and houses the campus police and public safety department.
2212 Chapel Hill Road
Opened 1960
This fire station opened on February 1, 1960, with the white fire company relocating from old Station 4 on McMannan Street.
The property acquisition was approved on October 1, 1956. The plans were approved by city council on March 13, 1958. The architect was M. A. Ham. The project cost $76,499.
In April 1996, an extensive renovation project was started. Engine 5 was relocated to Station 2. The project was scheduled to take six months.
In November 2000, a Durham County EMS ambulance was co-located at the fire station. This was the first time in the city's history that a county ambulance was housed at a fire station.
2725 Holloway Street
Opened 1974 / Closed 1997
This fire station was built as a public safety station and during the years that some police and firefighter positions were combined into public safety officers. The controversial program started in 1970 and ended in 1985.
Public Safety Station 8 opened on November 15, 1974. It housed Engine 80, later renamed Engine 8. It closed in the summer of 1997. Engine 8 was relocated to Station 3.
In February 1988, the 1,184-square-foot building was reopened as a Durham County EMS station. It required about $40,000 in repairs and remodeling, plus the addition of a fence around the rear parking lot.
2012 E. Club Boulevard
Opened
1976 / Closed 2017
This fire station was also built as a public safety station. Public Safety Station 9 was completed in 1976 and opened in 1977. It first housed Engine 90. The opening was delayed several months due to manpower shortages and other issues.
The fire station closed on April 13, 2017, and new Station 9 opened at 1648 Midland Terrace. The relocation was planned as early as 2012, when the project was approved by council. Construction started in 2013 but was delayed for years. The fire department has continued to use the old fire station for storage.
501 Washington Street
Built 1928** / Closed circa 1977
Built in 1928, the original training tower was designed by Durham architects Atwood and Nash. It was equipped with a standpipe system, smoke room, and safety net. Located across the street from the Durham Athletic Park, the 61-foot structure is adjacent to the old city garage. The drill pad was originally its own traffic island between Washington and Morris streets.
In 1963, the portion of Washington Street separating the tower from the City Garage was closed.
In 1977, a new and larger set of training facilities were opened at 2008 E. Club Boulevard. The new training center was dedicated September 11, 1977.
Both the training center and old city garage were purchased by a private owner and the exterior of the tower was renovated. Both are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
** The year 1926 was long-cited as the year the tower was erected. That is incorrect.
The original Station 2 was located on the north side of W. Main Street, across from the W. Duke & Sons cigarette factory. Research notes:
On August 3, 1903, a replacement Station 2 was opened on the same site. Research notes:
The original Station 3 was located in the 500 block of E. Main Street. Research notes:
The original Station 4 was located at 21 Holloway Street, just east of Station 1. Research notes:
In 1926, a new Station 4 opened at 619 McMannan Street, later named South Mangum Street. Research notes:
See this interactive map of past and present fire station locations.
Notes:
Charlotte
Durham
Fayetteville
Goldsboro
Greensboro
High Point
Kinston
New Bern
Raleigh
Rocky Mount / Wilson
Wilmington
Winston-Salem
This article was updated and expanded in January 2026. The original version of this article was published on FireNews.net on November 23, 2004.
Copyright 2025 by Michael J. Legeros