EXTANT FORMER FIRE HOUSE

20 Eustis Street, Roxbury

Chemical Engine Company 10

HISTORY

Ladder Company 4 was organized here on January 6, 1868, the date the Town of Roxbury was annexed to the City of Boston. Ladder 4 had been Washington Hook & Ladder 1 of the Roxbury Fire Department.

The building was built in 1859 and was designed by Roxbury architect John Roulestone Hall. It is a 2 1/2 -story brick building constructed in the Italianate style. It replaced a smaller 2 story wood Greek Revival firehouse built in 1829. In 1869, a rear addition made of wood was constructed to house 'hook and ladder' equipment and a stable.

The firehouse had been used as a firehouse, prior to 1868, by the Roxbury Fire Department. Torrent 6 of the Roxbury Fire Department had been quartered here.

Ladder 4 stayed for five years until a new firehouse was built at 407 Dudley Street. Ladder 4 moved into the new house in November, 1873. In 1878 Ladder 4 moved back to 20 Eustis Street and stayed until October 30, 1880. On that date, Ladder 4 moved to 198 Dudley Street.

Chemical Engine Company 10 was organized here on September 16, 1889. It stayed here until October 2, 1916 when the company moved to the quarters of Ladder 4 at 198 Dudley Street. Chemical 10 was disbanded on July 28, 1922.

This building is the oldest firehouse in Boston still standing. Little has been done to the building in the years since the Fire Department ceased operations within. The building remains extant, but is in poor condition in 2008.

The photo at lower left shows the present condition of the building in 2008.

On May 15, 2010, the non-profit preservation group Historic Boston, Inc. (HBI) held a public ceremony to announce the start of a rehabilitation project on the Eustis Street Firehouse. Upon completion of the rehab project, HBI will make the firehouse their headquarters. To see more about this project, use this Link:
Historic Boston, Inc. News