In the beginning...

There is a tremendous amount of history behind the building we are filling with new life. Here is a bit of the back ground information on the architecture, use and evolution of our firehouse.

The Engine Company 40 Firehouse was built between 1923 and 1924. It was constructed of brick and stone in a style architects call Tudor Revival - famous for its graceful arches and detailed brickwork. Originally housing horse-drawn fire rigs, the station fuctioned as a firehouse as well as a barn. This photo captures the original beauty of the building including the detail of it's lovely third floor.




An early photo captures the spirit of East Boston. The Sumner Street firehouse was a huge source of pride in the neighborhood and its firemen became local heroes. Notice the original fire doors, cobblestone streets, and impeccable uniforms - I especially love the gleeming lapel pin on the Captain's chest (far left). When the fire alarm would sound, local children would gather around to watch the handsome fire engines charge to the rescue of threatened families. The feeling of excitement and sympathy was intense.




The original doors, although beautiful, provided little security. Numerous residents, now in their 70's, recall sneaking into the building to slide down the poles when firemen were off fighting fires. A retired Engine 40 worker said it was crazier than that. "Kids would steal our television, or even our fans. Anything that wasn't tied down was fair game. This photo was likely taken in the 1950's. The original barn-style fire-doors had been replaced with roll-up doors and the cobblestone streets had been paved.



In the 1950's, in an effort to conserve heat, the City of Boston modernized three city-owned firehouses by removing the top floors. When I first saw a photo of this building complete with it's glorious third floor, I couldn't help but think that bad City planning had decapitated this beautiful gem. As time passed, fire engines got bigger and the equipment they carried grew bulkier, requiring higher and wider doors. By the 1970's Engine 40 was in disrepair and considered too small to be of good service. A modern, spacious firehouse was constructed a few meters away on Sumner Street, and on May 13, 1977 the old firehouse was shuttered, where it sat unused for thirty years.