Minneapolis Fire Department Repair Shop

The Minneapolis Fire Department Repair Shop is a building in Minneapolis, Minnesota listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. The repair shop was established by the city of Minneapolis to reorganize and consolidate the services of the fire department. The shop was also used to convert horse-drawn fire equipment to motorized vehicles.[2]

Minneapolis Fire Department Repair Shop
The repair shop's 1922 addition
Location24 University Ave. NE and 222 First Ave. NE, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Coordinates44°59′19″N 93°15′26″W
Built1910
ArchitectDowns & Eads
Architectural styleEarly Commercial
NRHP reference No.05000447[1]
Added to NRHPMay 19, 2005

Between 1929 and 1932, the shop built eight large pumpers because the existing Pierce Arrow touring car chassis, the usual platform for fire equipment at the time, had insufficient capacity. Representatives of the Minneapolis Fire Department visited the Milwaukee Fire Department to learn how they were building their own new pumpers. The Minneapolis shop then started building its new pumpers using components from the Four Wheel Drive company. Four Wheel Drive built the engines, drivetrains, suspension components, and other components, while the Minneapolis Fire Department shops provided the frames, bodywork, pumping equipment, and all other firefighting equipment. The Minneapolis Fire Department also completed the assembly of these vehicles. Although the pumpers had an ungainly appearance and were hard to steer, some of these pumpers remained in active service until 1955.[3]

As of 2014, the property has been renovated into commercial space containing a restaurant/bar and offices.[4][5]

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
  2. "Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission 2005 Annual Report" (PDF). Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission. September 30, 2005. Retrieved 2009-02-02.
  3. "The Minneapolis Fire Department's FWDs". Firefighters Hall and Museum. December 28, 2007. Archived from the original on December 31, 2008. Retrieved 2009-02-02.
  4. "Location — JL Beers NE Minneapolis". Retrieved 11 November 2014.
  5. "Contact | Preston Kelly". Archived from the original on 12 November 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
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