Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Fire Station 31

On Sunday, Castle Green had its annual Christmas open house. (That's Castle Green in the background.) Bellis, Hiker and I tried to go but it was so crowded we opted out. Me + crowds = ugh. Apparently, Hiker and Bellis feel the same way.

We wandered the Old Town Pasadena alleys and took pictures. Old Town has great alleys that harbor secrets even now. We'd just come out of an alley parallel to Fair Oaks Avenue when a fire truck turned in. Within moments, a nice fireman walked toward us and asked if we were lost. "We're just exploring," we told him. So he invited us to explore Fire Station 31.

Fire Station 31, at 135 S. Fair Oaks in Pasadena, has a little museum with a collection of antique fire helmets, tools and other paraphernalia. They also house two original bells from the old fire station on Dayton Avenue, one bell from the building's interior and one from the exterior. But the the centerpiece of the place is this beautiful fire engine, the first motorized fire engine west of the Mississippi, manufactured in 1909 by Seagrave, who still make fire trucks today...

...though the detailing is a little different now.

I'll let you visit Fire Station 31 to see all the little details. The Hiker tells the story differently but it's all true, even the part about her being taller.


L-R: That's me, then Firefighter/paramedic Captain Myron Cooper, the Altadena Hiker, Bellis and firefighter/EMT Carlos Delgado who helped the Captain show us around. Carlos even slid down the pole for us (he was too fast for my camera to catch him). He and Captain Cooper said they're always happy to have visitors, unless of course they have to go fight a fire. But more often than not they don't, so stop in. You want to hope Captain Cooper is there because he's so knowledgeable about the history of the Pasadena Fire Department. Many thanks to them both! We had a great time. And thanks to Daniel Nausha for taking this picture.


Bellis and I decided to get a cup of coffee but Hiker begged off and we said goodbye. As Bellis and I strolled north on Fair Oaks, we heard sirens. Could our timing really be that good?

Sure enough, it was the guys from Station 31.

The turned the corner to head east on Green Street.

The sirens stopped after about a block.

Could it be? That's where Castle Green is.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hah! I look like I'm begging for attention and pulling on Captain Cooper's sleeve.

Petrea Burchard said...

I think you look pretty. And tall.

Susan Campisi said...

How serendipitous! I work down in that area and have seen the fire trucks and firemen around, yet I've never been invited in to explore... Maybe I'm too short?

Petrea Burchard said...

I think you should stop in, Susan. They'd love to show you around.

pasadenapio said...

Our fire museum at Station 31 is wonderful! I encourage everyone to stop by to take a look. Firefighters at every station in Pasadena are always happy to have visitors.

I spent a wonderful all-nighter at 31 a few years ago when I did a ridealong with paramedics.

And I can tell you for certain that there's nothing better than a firehouse meal cooked with loving hands by Pasadena's finest!

Petrea Burchard said...

They didn't invite us for dinner, Ann, but next time maybe I'll beg a little.

Mister Earl said...

The boys and I went down to Fire Station 31 the other week, hoping for a tour, but they were all booked up. So we headed on over to Hooters. Got the whole tour. I just love when plans go awry!

pasadenapio said...

I posted the link to this post on Facebook. This is from Erika Marrin, one of the Castle Green tour organizers:

Yes, as a matter if fact we did have paramedics at the castle green tour show up. But the person walked out of the building on their own accord. And by the way, the tour was the busiest we've ever had! Sorry, random blogger, but try another tour. It's worth it!

Petrea Burchard said...

Hee hee, Mister Earl.

Ann, I'm so glad to hear no one at Castle Green was hurt! It was so weird to see the paramedics head out that way.

I've been on the Castle Green tour and I know it's worth it, which is why I wanted to go again. Not sure why she called me "random blogger," but I think the better part of valor is to leave it at that.

Petrea Burchard said...

Ann, it was very nice of you to link to my post on Facebook. Thanks.

Dina said...

You lucky girls! What a fun thing to do.
And I am so jealous to see that nice fire station and modern equipment. After our recent Carmel fire, Israel found out just how woeful our firefighting capacity is.

Petrea Burchard said...

Fire is a way of life around here, Dina. Brush fires are part of the climate, so we have to be prepared. Even so, these fire stations have experienced cutbacks due to the economy.

Unknown said...

waaahhh my eye was caught by the vintage fire truck really stylish and awesome.


fire station photos