Dallas Firefighters Museum

The Dallas Firefighters Museum is located in one of the city’s oldest remaining fire stations at 3801 Parry Avenue in Dallas, TX. The station was built in 1907 and originally was the home to Hook and Ladder Company No. 3. The “Fire Station at Fair Park” has served the City of Dallas with distinction for almost a century. In the first three-quarters of that century, from its erection in 1907 until May 2, 1975, it was an active firehouse. Since that time it has served as the Dallas Firefighters Museum. It boasts a fantastic collection of old fire apparatus including “Old Tige,” an 1884 horse-drawn steamer named after then mayor W.L. Cabell. Visitors can indulge their fascination with firefighters by viewing over 100 years of firefighting history thru a collection of extinguishers, helmets, suits, uniforms, etc. The museum has a website that can be visited by going to www.dallasfiremuseum.com.

I had a chance to re-visit the Dallas Firefighters Museum on May 22nd, 2009. Museum Curator Ken Dodd (retired DFD Member) was kind enough to share some stories of the early DFD with me. I took some additional photos that are posted here.

The fire station at Fair Park has served the City of Dallas with distinction for almost a century. In the first three-quarters of that century, from its erection in 1907 until May 2, 1975, it was an active firehouse. Since that time it has served as the Dallas Firefighters Museum. Its importance to the community is undeniable and its place within Dallas’ history has been well recognized. The firefighters stationed there have contributed to the safety and security of the surrounding districts during that lengthy period.