Excerpts from hoiabc.com:
Peoria firefighters celebrated the history and memories within the oldest fire station in the River City. It opened in 1952 and is expected to close next month.
“If you wanted to prove yourself as a firefighter, you came to Station 4,” said Interim Chief Shawn Sollberger.
The same message spread through all the firefighters who gathered Thursday night. They said their bittersweet goodbyes to the original Station 4. Dozens of retirees, current firefighters and community members laughed as they shared stories from the city’s oldest station.
Although, the memories made on Jefferson Avenue will come to an end, Station 4?s legacy will continue a few miles away on Western Avenue. Station 4 will close when the new building is complete.
The city does not have plans yet for what will be done with the building on Jefferson Avenue, but there are hopes to make it some type of memorial.
