History of the Hill

Past and present: Chickens in the basement

5 Comments
The old Fire Station No. 13 at 14th Avenue South and South Massachusetts Street, about 1915. Photo from the PEMCO Webster and Stevens Collection, MOHAI. Used by permission.
The old fire station building still exists, with some changes. Photo by Wendi.

This early 20th century firehouse on 14th avenue still remains, camouflaged as a residential building. Look closely at the dormer on the roof and you can see siding that matches the siding in the 1915 picture. Other details have been changed over the years, but the building is still clearly recognizable as old Station 13.

My attention was drawn to the building by this interesting letter posted in the Seattle Municipal Archives Flickr Feed:

Image courtesy of Seattle Municipal Archives.

Fire stations back then had to house horses, so the manure storage issues are not surprising. But the chickens in the basement were apparently not expected in a proper firehouse.

Fire Station 13 opened at 14th and Massachusetts on October 10, 1904, in what was, at that time, the center of Beacon Hill’s residential neighborhood. Over the next couple of decades, development on the Hill shifted further south, and the Fire Department changed from using horses to using motorized vehicles. These changes necessitated the building of a new station that would be more centrally located to serve Beacon Hill, and more suitable for the new vehicles. The old firehouse remained in service until the new station opened at the intersection of Beacon Avenue South and South Spokane Street in 1928. That building is a Seattle historical landmark that remains in operation as a fire station to this day.

The current Station 13, opened in 1928. Photo by Jason.

5 thoughts on “Past and present: Chickens in the basement”

  1. Great story!
    I live by the “new” fire station and I ride my bike along 14th past the “old” fire station.

    I really appreciate all the news I find on this blog.

  2. I recently noticed this building because of its driveway. I figure its a hostel or something, but it’s nice to know that I can sleep well now knowing that it was a fire station. Man the view from 1915 looks so good.

  4. And–Fire Station 13 is about to go (another) expansion and remodel. I believe they’re upgrading the living quarters and some of the mechanical room. The work should be done this year and will somewhat coincide with the construction of the nearby Beacon Mountain Playground.

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