Montrose, CO — City Councilors voted unanimously Tuesday to place the Montrose Fire Department No. 1 station on the city’s register of historic places.
The station, located on the city’s civic campus at 24 South Uncompahgre Avenue, was built in 1910 as fire protection was seen as a critical need during the city’s growth during the early 20th century.
The station is the third city property, joining three other downtown buildings, to be added to the registry since the city created the program in 2019.
This historic photograph shows the Montrose Fire Department No. 1 station located at 24 South Uncompahgre Avenue in downtown Montrose.
(Photo courtesy Denver Public Library)
According to City Planner William Reis, on April 27, 2021, the city's Historic Preservation Commission considered an application for historic property designation of the Montrose Fire Department No. 1, otherwise known as the Montrose City Hall Annex building. The commission voted unanimously to recommend the building for City Council approval as a historic property.
Reis said the structure meets the eligibility criteria per Montrose Municipal Code, Section 4-15-3 (B).
The 1910 Montrose Fire Department No. 1 is important for its long-standing association with fire protection in the city.
Serving a critical need for Montrose’s quickly expanding population at the beginning of the 20th century, the building housed the fire department for the next seven decades, offering the community both fire protection and educational assistance, according to Reis.
Montrose Fire Station No. 1 is representative of the type and method of construction that was prevalent in Montrose for several decades, starting in the 1890s.
The building features a stepped parapet wall with a stone identification panel. Below the parapet wall is a characteristic decorative brick cornice. A similar cornice is found over the original truck bay. This decorative brickwork also serves as the sill for the windows over this bay. Alteration of the building has closed the truck bay while retaining the original shape of this opening and has utilized materials that are sympathetic to the design of the building.
"As the city continues to pursue its preservation goals, It's exciting to see the Montrose Fire Department No. 1 added to our local register,” Reis said. "The building exemplifies the architectural style of Montrose's early history, and this is a great next step towards preserving our downtown's historic character."
City of Montrose Register of Historic Places:
• City Hall: 433 South First Street, added on September 17, 2019.
• Potato Growers Association building: 39 West Main Street, added on October 1, 2019.
• The Missouri Building: 347 East Main Street, added on March 17, 2020.
• The Block Building: 345 East Main Street, added on March 17, 2020.
• The former BPOE Lodge Building: 107 South Cascade Avenue, added on November 17, 2020.
• Montrose Fire Department No. 1 station: 24 South Uncompahgre Avenue, added on June 1, 2021.
Click here for more information about the City of Montrose's Historic Preservation efforts.
For other city news visit: CityofMontrose.org.