Aug 15
Excerpts from wcia.com:
The Decatur Fire Department cut the ribbon on a new fire house. Station seven is on chestnut avenue south of Lake Decatur on Route 36.
The station is the third new house to open in the city, and it will be the last the city builds for the time being.
The new station will not be coming with new equipment or trucks. The department will be relocating equipment to the new facility.
Excerpts from the herald-review.com:
On Saturday, community members were invited to walk through Decatur’s Fire Station 3 one last time during an open house organized by History of the Heartland, a sponsor of community events highlighting historic preservation and stories of Macon County structures and people.
Several current firefighters stopped by the open house to reminisce. The amount of work and the size of the building were what made the station a popular house for the firefighters. Mark Allen, a retired firefighter that worked at the station in the past, displayed several pieces of fire memorabilia during Saturday’s event including equipment and uniforms that dated back nearly 60 years.
The station was one of the older and smaller fire houses in Decatur before the city began building larger facilities a few years ago. Firefighters moved to their new location around the corner on Fairview Plaza a year ago.
A local businessman is in the process of purchasing the nearly 100-year-old building. Although the location and aesthetics of the station were enticing, he will be changing several details. The lower level will be expanded 45 feet into the lot west of the building. Other buildings he owns are being used for construction materials and business-related items, so he plans to store several of his vehicles in the old fire station. Plans for the upper level will include three executive-level apartments.
Oct 26
Excerpts from the Herald-Review.com:
On Monday, the doors of Fire Station 3, the oldest working station in Decatur, were closed as firefighters and their equipment were moved around the corner to the new Fire Station 6 in Fairview Plaza.
The building is nearly 100 years old, with additions being made throughout the years. The station was built in 1927, originally labeled Station 6. It was a mirror-image of another station on the corner of Clay and 22nd streets, which closed years ago. The day room, kitchen and training room were in one small room on the main level with a dorm room for sleeping located in the upstairs area.
The new station has modern facilities, with individual rooms for firefighters and more space for equipment and living areas.
For Deputy Chief Jim Ohl, the move is bittersweet. He spent more than 18 years of his career at the old station working with the same group of firefighters for nearly 10 years.
Plans for another new building, Station 7, are in the works at Chestnut and 36th streets. The fate of the old Station 3 is unknown at this time.
For the finest department portraits and composites contact Tim Olk or Larry Shapiro.
