The Los Angeles Fire Department Museum and Memorial is located at Old Engine Co. No. 27, also known as Fire Station No. 27, on Cahuenga Boulevard in Hollywood. The museum houses old fire engines and fire apparatus, some dating from the 1880s. The museum also houses a reference library and fire safety learning center. The building was named a Los Angeles Cultural-Heritage Monument in 1976 and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. The Fallen Firefighters Memorial in front of the station consists of a memorial wall listing all of the Los Angeles firefighters who have died in the line of duty and five life-size statues of firefighters.
At 20,000 square feet (1,900 m2), the Italian Renaissance revival building housing Engine Co. No. 27 was the largest fire station west of the Mississippi River when it opened in July 1930.[3][4] For more than 60 years, the old fire station served the Hollywood community, including the motion picture studios and the stars who lived in the Hollywood Hills.[5] It was also used a movie location by, among others, The Three Stooges and Buster Keaton.[4] The use of the building as both a movie location and a working fire station sometimes led to difficulties. In 1937, a real fire broke out while a Hollywood studio was filming the motion picture, Two Platoons, at Fire Station No. 27. The Los Angeles Times reported on the incident this way:
The entire crew was on hand as atmosphere and the equipment served as a background. Dick Foran and Robert Armstrong were in the middle of a scene when the alarm sounded. Moviemaking meant nothing in the life of Battalion Chief Rothermel at that moment. Before (director John) Farrow could finish the sequence, the fire engines were speeding on their way to a brush fire in the Hollywood Hills. The movie company had to wait an hour before action could be resumed.[6]
In 1950, the captain of Engine Co. No. 27, Michael J. Carter, died in the line of duty while supervising a firefighting effort at a recordmaking facility in Hollywood.[7] Capt. Carter is one of the fallen firefighters now honored by the memorial located in front of Engine Co. No. 27.
One firefighter, Lawrence T. O'Neill, served at Station 27 for 34 years starting in 1929. At the time of his retirement in 1963, O'Neill recalled the company's efforts in fighting the Paramount sound stage fire in 1929, the Consolidated Laboratories fire the same year, and dozens of other fires over the years.[8]
In 1976, an interagency dispute arose, as the Fire Department Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to oppose the designation of Station No. 27 as a Historic-Cultural Monument by the City's Cultural Heritage Commission. Fire Chief Kenneth Long expressed concerns that the designation would make it impossible for the city to rebuild the station or to sell it to build a new station elsewhere.[9] Despite the fire department's opposition, Fire Station No. 27 was disengaged as the city's Cultural-Historical Monument #165 in October 1976.[1] The historic designation saved Engine Co. No. 27 when the Los Angeles Fire Department announced plans in 1984 to demolish 16 old fire stations as part of the largest building program ever undertaken by the department.[10]
The Los Angeles Fire Department Museum opened in October 2001—the month after the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, New York, and the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia. The walls of the museum are filled with historical photographs on the department's history. The museum houses several old fire engines, artifacts and historical firefighting equipment, some dating from the 1880s. There is also a research library and a learning center where fire and life safety lessons are taught.[5] The benefactor of the museum is retired Los Angeles firefighter and Medal of Valor recipient, William Rolland. Rolland said of the museum: "I believe we must begin by educating our youth. A museum is not something you finish; museums are something you start. We will teach and educate children and their parents in fire safety awareness, emergency procedures and EMS technology of today."[3]
When the Los Angeles Times published an article on the museum in 2003, it wrote: "With its high ceilings, six old-fashioned brass fire poles and nearly a dozen antique fire engines, the Los Angeles Fire Department Museum looks like a set from a Hollywood back lot. ... But Fire Station 27 has a greater purpose: keeping the flame of L.A. Fire Department history."[4]
The Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Society also operates three other museums—the Los Angeles Harbor Fire Museum, located at 638 Beacon St., San Pedro; the Plaza Fire House near Olvera Street in downtown Los Angeles; and the African American Fire Fighter Museum, located at 1401 S. Central Avenue.
Fallen Firefighters Memorial
In front of the museum is the Fallen Firefighter Memorial. It includes a memorial wall with the names of every known Los Angeles firefighter who has died while on active duty. The memorial also includes a series of life-size bronze statues depicting five firefighters. Two of the firefighters are depicted attacking a fire, while a fallen firefighter is attended to by a fourth figure. The fifth figure is the fire captain, shown making a command decision and also caring for the downed firefighter. The statues was based on a concept and designed by Los Angeles Fire Captain Harold Dwayne Golden and created in Minnesota by Honors for Excellence.[11]
In 2005, firefighters staged a torch relay through the city to raise funds for the memorial that was then anticipated to cost $1.5 million. Each battalion in the Los Angeles Fire Department took turns running 13 miles (21 km) with the torch. At the time, firefighter Dominic Pascal said, "You don't want to forget your family members, and we don't want to forget ours. ... It's a significant, emotional event when you lose someone in a fire."[12]
^ abLos Angeles Department of City Planning (2007-09-07). "Historic - Cultural Monuments (HCM) Listing: City Declared Monuments" (PDF). City of Los Angeles. Retrieved 2008-06-01. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
^ abBrochure from Los Angeles Fire Department Museum (2003)
^ abcdCecilia Rasmussen (2003-07-06). "L.A. THEN AND NOW; Fire Museum Tells of Valor, History". Los Angeles Times.
^ abc"Old Fire Station 27". Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Society.
^Read Kendall (1937-07-15). "Around and About in Hollywood: Real Thing Upsets Movie Company". Los Angeles Times.
^"Fireman Dies Fighting Blaze in Hollywood: Record Concern and Photo Studio Loss Estimated $315,000". Los Angeles Times. 1950-06-10.
^"Fireman Will Be Honored". Los Angeles Times. 1963-08-13.
^"The Southland: Firehouse Monument Opposed". Los Angeles Times. 1976-08-06.
^Allan Parachini (1984-10-28). "Antique Firehouses Facing the Ax: New Building Program Threatens Historic Structures". Los Angeles Times.
^"The Fallen Firefighter Memorial". Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Society.
^Veronic Torrejon (2005-08-12). "Flame Keeps Their Memories Burning; L.A. Fire Department's torch relay honors comrades who have fallen in the line of duty". Los Angeles Times.
External links
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official Los Angeles Fire Department Museum and Memorial website
January 31, 2023
angeles, fire, department, museum, memorial, located, engine, also, known, fire, station, cahuenga, boulevard, hollywood, museum, houses, fire, engines, fire, apparatus, some, dating, from, 1880s, museum, also, houses, reference, library, fire, safety, learnin. The Los Angeles Fire Department Museum and Memorial is located at Old Engine Co No 27 also known as Fire Station No 27 on Cahuenga Boulevard in Hollywood The museum houses old fire engines and fire apparatus some dating from the 1880s The museum also houses a reference library and fire safety learning center The building was named a Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Monument in 1976 and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1985 The Fallen Firefighters Memorial in front of the station consists of a memorial wall listing all of the Los Angeles firefighters who have died in the line of duty and five life size statues of firefighters Engine Co No 27U S National Register of Historic PlacesLos Angeles Historic Cultural Monument No 165Engine Co No 27 home of the Fire Dept MuseumLocation1355 N Cahuenga Boulevard Hollywood Los Angeles CaliforniaCoordinates34 5 45 4 N 118 19 48 W 34 095944 N 118 33000 W 34 095944 118 33000 Coordinates 34 5 45 4 N 118 19 48 W 34 095944 N 118 33000 W 34 095944 118 33000Built1930ArchitectPeter K SchabarumArchitectural styleLate 19th And 20th Century RevivalsNRHP reference No 85002559LAHCM No 165Significant datesAdded to NRHPSeptember 24 1985 2 Designated LAHCMAugust 6 1962 1 Contents 1 History of Engine Co No 27 2 Los Angeles Fire Department Museum 3 Fallen Firefighters Memorial 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksHistory of Engine Co No 27 EditAt 20 000 square feet 1 900 m2 the Italian Renaissance revival building housing Engine Co No 27 was the largest fire station west of the Mississippi River when it opened in July 1930 3 4 For more than 60 years the old fire station served the Hollywood community including the motion picture studios and the stars who lived in the Hollywood Hills 5 It was also used a movie location by among others The Three Stooges and Buster Keaton 4 The use of the building as both a movie location and a working fire station sometimes led to difficulties In 1937 a real fire broke out while a Hollywood studio was filming the motion picture Two Platoons at Fire Station No 27 The Los Angeles Times reported on the incident this way The entire crew was on hand as atmosphere and the equipment served as a background Dick Foran and Robert Armstrong were in the middle of a scene when the alarm sounded Moviemaking meant nothing in the life of Battalion Chief Rothermel at that moment Before director John Farrow could finish the sequence the fire engines were speeding on their way to a brush fire in the Hollywood Hills The movie company had to wait an hour before action could be resumed 6 In 1950 the captain of Engine Co No 27 Michael J Carter died in the line of duty while supervising a firefighting effort at a recordmaking facility in Hollywood 7 Capt Carter is one of the fallen firefighters now honored by the memorial located in front of Engine Co No 27 One firefighter Lawrence T O Neill served at Station 27 for 34 years starting in 1929 At the time of his retirement in 1963 O Neill recalled the company s efforts in fighting the Paramount sound stage fire in 1929 the Consolidated Laboratories fire the same year and dozens of other fires over the years 8 In 1976 an interagency dispute arose as the Fire Department Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to oppose the designation of Station No 27 as a Historic Cultural Monument by the City s Cultural Heritage Commission Fire Chief Kenneth Long expressed concerns that the designation would make it impossible for the city to rebuild the station or to sell it to build a new station elsewhere 9 Despite the fire department s opposition Fire Station No 27 was disengaged as the city s Cultural Historical Monument 165 in October 1976 1 The historic designation saved Engine Co No 27 when the Los Angeles Fire Department announced plans in 1984 to demolish 16 old fire stations as part of the largest building program ever undertaken by the department 10 The station was also listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1985 Rather than demolishing the old firehouse a new fire station was built next door 4 The building was damaged in the 1994 Northridge earthquake 5 but was restored to its earlier appearance for use as a museum honoring the Los Angeles Fire Department Los Angeles Fire Department Museum Edit Model T fire engine on display at museum The Los Angeles Fire Department Museum opened in October 2001 the month after the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City New York and the Pentagon in Arlington County Virginia The walls of the museum are filled with historical photographs on the department s history The museum houses several old fire engines artifacts and historical firefighting equipment some dating from the 1880s There is also a research library and a learning center where fire and life safety lessons are taught 5 The benefactor of the museum is retired Los Angeles firefighter and Medal of Valor recipient William Rolland Rolland said of the museum I believe we must begin by educating our youth A museum is not something you finish museums are something you start We will teach and educate children and their parents in fire safety awareness emergency procedures and EMS technology of today 3 When the Los Angeles Times published an article on the museum in 2003 it wrote With its high ceilings six old fashioned brass fire poles and nearly a dozen antique fire engines the Los Angeles Fire Department Museum looks like a set from a Hollywood back lot But Fire Station 27 has a greater purpose keeping the flame of L A Fire Department history 4 The Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Society also operates three other museums the Los Angeles Harbor Fire Museum located at 638 Beacon St San Pedro the Plaza Fire House near Olvera Street in downtown Los Angeles and the African American Fire Fighter Museum located at 1401 S Central Avenue Fallen Firefighters Memorial EditIn front of the museum is the Fallen Firefighter Memorial It includes a memorial wall with the names of every known Los Angeles firefighter who has died while on active duty The memorial also includes a series of life size bronze statues depicting five firefighters Two of the firefighters are depicted attacking a fire while a fallen firefighter is attended to by a fourth figure The fifth figure is the fire captain shown making a command decision and also caring for the downed firefighter The statues was based on a concept and designed by Los Angeles Fire Captain Harold Dwayne Golden and created in Minnesota by Honors for Excellence 11 In 2005 firefighters staged a torch relay through the city to raise funds for the memorial that was then anticipated to cost 1 5 million Each battalion in the Los Angeles Fire Department took turns running 13 miles 21 km with the torch At the time firefighter Dominic Pascal said You don t want to forget your family members and we don t want to forget ours It s a significant emotional event when you lose someone in a fire 12 See also Edit Los Angeles portalLos Angeles Historic Cultural Monuments in Hollywood List of Registered Historic Places in Los Angeles Los Angeles Fire Department Fire Station No 14 Los Angeles California NRHP listed historic all black segregated fire station in South Los Angeles Fire Station No 23 Los Angeles California NRHP listed built in 1910 in Downtown Los Angeles Engine House No 18 Los Angeles California NRHP listed Mission Revival fire station built in 1904 in West Adams district Engine Company No 28 NRHP listed fire station in Downtown Los Angeles built in 1912 Fire Station No 30 Engine Company No 30 NRHP listed historic all black segregated fire station and engine company in South Los Angeles Ralph J Scott 100 foot fireboat built in 1925 and attached to the Los Angeles Fire Department designated as a National Historic LandmarkReferences Edit a b Los Angeles Department of City Planning 2007 09 07 Historic Cultural Monuments HCM Listing City Declared Monuments PDF City of Los Angeles Retrieved 2008 06 01 a href Template Cite journal html title Template Cite journal cite journal a Cite journal requires journal help National Register Information System National Register of Historic Places National Park Service April 15 2008 a b Brochure from Los Angeles Fire Department Museum 2003 a b c d Cecilia Rasmussen 2003 07 06 L A THEN AND NOW Fire Museum Tells of Valor History Los Angeles Times a b c Old Fire Station 27 Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Society Read Kendall 1937 07 15 Around and About in Hollywood Real Thing Upsets Movie Company Los Angeles Times Fireman Dies Fighting Blaze in Hollywood Record Concern and Photo Studio Loss Estimated 315 000 Los Angeles Times 1950 06 10 Fireman Will Be Honored Los Angeles Times 1963 08 13 The Southland Firehouse Monument Opposed Los Angeles Times 1976 08 06 Allan Parachini 1984 10 28 Antique Firehouses Facing the Ax New Building Program Threatens Historic Structures Los Angeles Times The Fallen Firefighter Memorial Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Society Veronic Torrejon 2005 08 12 Flame Keeps Their Memories Burning L A Fire Department s torch relay honors comrades who have fallen in the line of duty Los Angeles Times External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Los Angeles Fire Department Museum and Memorial official Los Angeles Fire Department Museum and Memorial website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Los Angeles Fire Department Museum and Memorial amp oldid 1100017308, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
