CHAPEL HILL FIRE DEPARTMENT / FIRE HOUSE HILL

CHAPEL HILL FIRE DEPARTMENT / FIRE HOUSE HILL

North Columbia Street
,
Chapel Hill
NC
Cross street: 
West Rosemary Street
Built in
1921-1922
/ Demolished in
1939
Construction type: 
Brick and Frame
Neighborhood: 
Chapel Hill - Franklin-Rosemary
Type: 
Government
Use: 
Fire Department
,
municipal

The two-story, purpose-built brick structure was built in 1921-1922, and was located in the middle of Columbia Street, just north of Rosemary Street. It replaced a smaller, wood frame fire house/jail house structure.

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Last updated

  • Mon, 03/13/2023 - 11:07am by SteveR

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North Columbia Street
,
Chapel Hill
NC
Cross street: 
West Rosemary Street
Built in
1921-1922
/ Demolished in
1939
Construction type: 
Brick and Frame
Neighborhood: 
Chapel Hill - Franklin-Rosemary
Type: 
Government
Use: 
Fire Department
,
municipal

 

View north, 1920s (image courtesy of UNC)

View north, 1925 (image courtesy of UNC)

View south, 1925 (image courtesy of UNC)

View north, 1927 (image courtesy of UNC)

View south, 1927 (image courtesy of UNC)

1925 Sanborn map excerpt

View north east, 1920s or 1930s (photo via Chapel Hill Fire Department)

1920s aerial photo excerpt; the fire house/jail is at center in the photo (image courtesy of UNC)
 
 
View north, circa 1930 (image courtesy of UNC)
 

1933 map excerpt

The structure was ordered to erected in a town meeting on August 4, 1921. The location was to be in “the middle of Columbia Street just north of Rosemary Street,” with the cost to be approximately $4,000. Mayor William S. Roberson appointed Dr. Pratt and M. W. Durham to serve with the Fire Committee as a Building Committee to “let contract and supervise construction.”

The contract information, from the town minutes and transcribed by Mike Legeros:

"Aug. 9, 1921 – p.154
Contract for new Fire House with J. T. Squires for $3,988. 18 X 40  ft. inside. Wall foundation to be 21″ thick; 1st story 13″ thick; 2nd  story 8″ thick. 1st floor to be 4″ concrete, 1 part cement, 3 parts sand & 5 parts stone, etc. Stairway to be built in the usual way, with rail and bolsters. All woodwork to have two coats of good paint.
Plumbing: Shower bath of standard quality. Vitreous china toilet combination. One enameled iron sink with hose connection. Sewer to be standard cast  iron from house to main.
Electric Wiring: Nine electric lights to be installed. Wiring to be conduit."

It remained in use into the 1930s, and wasn't demolished (or likely dismantled and moved after it was sold) until the Chapel Hill Town Hall was built in 1939. Its former location was called "Fire House Hill" long after the structure was gone.

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