Name/Title
Westminster FirehouseEntry/Object ID
1957.043.006Description
Postcard. Westminster Firehouse, Fire Department Meeting Room, Westminster, April 6, 1906. B/W photo shows the interior of the fire hall after the fire in April 1906. The room is dirty. There is a light fixture hung from center of the ceiling. The far wall is covered three large windows with arched tops. There is a painting on the wall to the left of the windows. The left wall has a large window in the center with paintings and smaller framed pieces on the wall around it. There are radiators against the left wall as well. In the center of the room is an enormous pile of wooden chairs, tables, and drums. On front, in white, "Meeting Room"; in blue ink "April 6 - 06". On back in black ink "Firemans Building April 6 - 1906 Mrs. Harvey Lockard donor". 3.5" x 5.5"Acquisition
Accession
1957.043Source or Donor
Lockard,Acquisition Method
GiftGeneral Notes
Note
Completed in 1896, the building sat at 66 E. Main Steet. It continued to serve the Westminster Fire Engine & Hose Co. #1 until 1998. It still stands today.
Henry H. Harbaugh’s business, the Palace Livery Stable, and home were next door to the firehouse. A fire of unknown origin erupted there just before 3:00 a.m. on April 6, 1906. The fire began at the back of the building and swept through the frame structure so rapidly that Harbaugh, his wife, and their three sons barely escaped, fleeing the building barefoot and in their nightclothes. Harbaugh’s losses amounted to over $18,000 and included 45 vehicles, harness, household goods and furniture, clothing and 22 horses. The intense heat of the fire ignited the window frames of the firehouse and eventually spread to the interior of that building. The firehouse was saved but suffered extensive damage.