The new pueblo of Los Angeles started in an area called Olvera Street. Right there at the plaza, is the area's first fire station. It is now a museum called The Plaza Fire House. My Husband and I actually found it open, on the day we were visiting the area, so we took a look around the museum.
It was originally all volunteer and did not actually serve as a fire station for more then a few years, in the 1800's. 13 years, to be exact.
What I found fascinating, is what shows up in the second photo.
This is a pumper that was brought to Los Angeles by boat, sailing from Boston, via the bottom of South America. Remember, there was no Panama Canal at that time.
An apprentice to Paul Revere, built this pumper and they have kept it, all these years.
A little piece of Revolutionary history, saved on the West Coast.
Here is what Wikipedia has to say about it:
Old Plaza Firehouse
The Old Plaza Firehouse is the oldest firehouse in Los Angeles. Built in 1884, it operated as a firehouse until 1897.
The building was thereafter used as a saloon, cigar store, poolroom, "seedy hotel", Chinese market, "flop house", and drugstore. The building was restored in the 1950s and opened as a firefighting museum in 1960.
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