Old Plaza Firehouse, Fire station museum near Olvera Street, Los Angeles, US
The Old Plaza Firehouse is a two-story brick building from the 19th century that originally served as the city's first dedicated fire station. The ground floor included rotating equipment and stalls for the horses that pulled the fire wagons and equipment.
The building opened in 1884 and marked the city's shift from volunteer to professional firefighting services. As Los Angeles grew, the fire department moved its operations to other locations by 1897.
The building shows how early firefighters in Los Angeles lived and worked, with preserved rooms that reflect their daily routines. Visitors can see where the men slept, ate, and maintained their equipment.
The museum is easy to reach and located near Olvera Street, a historic area with many other attractions nearby. Visitors should plan to move slowly through the exhibits since the rooms are compact and filled with details to discover.
The building contained a rotating turntable mechanism in the floor that allowed fire wagons to spin without the horses needing to back out. This practical solution was revolutionary for an era when quick departures were critical to saving lives.
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