The Seattle Fire Department opened Fire Station No. 5 in 1902. It was located on the waterfront at the foot of Madison Street, where the fireboat “Snoqualmie” (known as Engine 5) was berthed. The building, shown here, housed the fireboat crew as well as Hose Company 5, with its chemical and hose wagon. Fire Chief Frank Stetson condemned the building as unsafe in 1916. He placed the land-based equipment in a tent nearby and moved the firemen over to the neighboring Grand Trunk Pacific Dock. The new fire station opened in 1917.
In 1909, the fireboat "Snoqualmie" was replaced by the “Duwamish” whose double stacks can be seen to the left. The Galbraith Dock, covered with advertising signs, is to the right. The waterfront is busy on this sunny summer day.
Signs in the image: [Steamer] "Flyer" Tacoma, Northern Steamship Company, Steamer "A.G. Lindsay", Steamer "Kitsap".
Caption information source: The Seattle Daily Times, March 17, 1916, p. 5.; Jim Stevenson. Seattle Firehouses of the horse drawn and early motor era. (Jim Stevenson: Seattle, 1972).
ID Number: SHS2781
Date: 1911
Physical Description: 1 photographic print mounted on cardboard: b&w ; 19.75 x 16 in.
Additional Information: Digital copy of this item available thanks to funding from a 2016 Institute for Museum and Library Services grant. Metadata updated as part of a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the Library Services and Technology Act, through the Washington State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.
