Fire station to mark 100th
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — A historic landmark located in downtown Presque Isle is marking a major milestone this year. To celebrate the occasion, members of the Presque Isle Historical Society are planning a special event.
“Presque Isle’s historic fire station turns 100 this year. In celebration of that historic milestone, the Historical Society has a day of celebration planned for Saturday, Sept. 15. From 9 to 11:30 a.m. the public can take a narrated city-wide historic tour on Molly the Trolley. Seats are limited and reservations are required,” said Kim Smith, secretary/treasurer for the Historical Society.
A cook-out is also being planned.
“We’ll have hamburgers, hotdogs, chips and soda available at the fire station, located at 17 Church St., from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at a cost of $5 per person. In addition, several antique cars will be on display,” said Smith.
Smith shared a bit of history about the station and its importance to the city.
“Presque Isle has a long history of fires destroying our downtown buildings. In March of 1912, local businessmen came together to discuss whether to build a new fire department quarters or repair the existing hose house,” said Smith.
According to Smith, the existing hose house was in a sad state of repair. In addition, the hose house was not large enough to accommodate the members of the fire department upon returning from fighting a fire as well as the fire equipment and horses.
“Ultimately, the group voted to build a new building. The town appropriated $5,500 plus a $2,000 loan and an additional $500 to be raised by direct taxation. This $8,000 would be equivalent to $178,000 today,” Smith said.
Smith said since completion, the structure served multiple purposes over the years.
“The building was used as a municipal courtroom, jail and fire department. On the top floor, it had a room in the front for the selectmen, a 26 foot by 38 foot municipal court in the rear, as well as a hay loft. The main floor had a six-horse stable, a 36 foot by 40 foot room for fire equipment, a harness room and a 24 foot by 15 foot room for the firemen. The basement had a 14 foot by 28 foot concrete jail with three concrete wall cells with steel doors,” said Smith.
In 1960, when the hospital moved to its new facility on Academy Street, the municipal offices moved next door on Second Street, where City Hall is today.
In 2001, when the police and fire departments built a new safety building on North Street, the old firehouse was sold to the Historical Society. Since then, members of the Society have been actively raising funds and refurbishing the structure, with plans to use the facility as a museum.
“The Society is currently trying to raise the $2 million needed to renovate the building to become a museum and cultural center,” said Smith.
This year is also the 100th anniversary of The Aroostook Medical Center. This fact has not been lost on members of the Historical Society, who’ve teamed up with hospital staff to mark their respective agencies’ birthdays.
“The Aroostook Medical Center, also celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, is partnering with the Historical Society on this celebration,” said Smith.
Craig Green, president of the Board of Directors of the Presque Isle Historical Society, said, “The historic fire station and the hospital are natural partners, having a shared history that dates back to the origin of both institutions. In fact, there is a great story about Phineas Ellis, the hospital’s first chairman of the board, being in the hospital – which was then on Second Street in what is now City Hall – recovering from surgery When he awoke, he told his nurse that he had just heard Gabriel’s trumpet. The nurse informed him that he had actually heard the fire whistle located on the roof of the fire station next door.”
To make a reservation to ride the trolley during the event, call 762-6300 by Friday, Sept. 14, at 5 p.m. Seats are $5 per person.
FMI on the Society, programs and events, or to learn about volunteering or membership, visit www.pihistory.org, e-mail pihistoricalsociety@hotmail.com.or call 762-1151.
