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Engine Company No. 18


The Companies

The Fire Houses

  Engine Company 18
  
  Disbanded 
 

  Hose  Company   18 in service
  Engine Company 18 replaces Hose Co.

  ENGINE COMPANY 18, RA 18

April 1, 1906

January 1, 1916

1920
Dec. 31, 1923

Present

2616 South Hobart Street





12050 Balboa Blvd.
Granada Hills

April 1, 1906





November 18, 1968
  to Present


Engine Company No. 18
2616 South Hobart Street


Source: Annual L.A.F.D. Report for year ending Nov. 30 1904
Engine Company 18 under construction in 1904.
Opened for service April 1, 1906

Source: Turk & Haelsig Photo
The crew of Engine Company 18
1908



Source: LAFD Photo Album Collection

Engine Company 18 making a run past
the Fire House
2616 South Hobart Street

Circa 1906

  Opened
Land Cost
Building Costs
Architect

Site 50 x 133
Main Building
Kitchen
Oil Room
Hand Ball Court
Number of Poles
Telephone

Closed
Sold

April 1, 1906
$   900.
$7,405.
John Parkinson **
6,650 sqft
4,933 sqft
   363 sqft
  163 sqft
  882 sqft
2
M-3918

January 18, 1968
April 11, 1985

**John Parkinson

Here is a short bio of John Parkinson from Stephen Gee who is currently working on a history of the architect for Angel City Press:

Born in Scorton, Lancashire, England in 1861, John Parkinson first arrived in North America in 1883 with $5 and a toolbox. His adventures would take him to Winnipeg, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Napa and Seattle before arriving in Los Angeles in 1894. In the next four decades he would design many of LA's most iconic landmarks including Los Angeles City Hall, Union Station, The Coliseum, Bullock's Wilshire and many buildings on the USC campus. In 1904 Parkinson designed Engine House 18 on Hobart Street and an English style Engine House (Engine Company 15) on the corner of Jefferson and McClintock Streets that included a 60-foot hose tower.







Source: LAFD Photo Album Collection
Engine Driver - C. F. Allen
Capt. on Wagon - S. Sepulveda
1910

Engine Co. 18
By Phillip A. Donahue, E-18B
August 1966

FIREMEN HELPLESS.
___

Unprotected Condition of Southwest
District Shown at a Fire There
Last Night.

    Among the interested spectators at fire on the corner of Western avenue and Flint street last night, were the members of the fire company stationed at Adams and Hobart streets, who were compelled to watch the flames without being able to pour a drop of water on the blaze.  There is no fire-plug near the scene of the fire, which was only a few blocks from the engine-house.

    The fire started in a barn on Flint street, near Western avenue, and quickly enveloped the building.   The fire company arrived in ample time to be of service, but not a line of hose was laid, and though the throbbing engine stood in readiness for immediate action, nothing could be done.  The peculiar situation has drawn attention to the need for protection against fire, as the southwestern section of the city, just inside the limits, is not provided with fire-plugs.

    Near the scene of last night's fire are several handsome residences which are just being completed.  These were saved from destruction only because there was no breeze.  A slight wind would have fanned the flames and much damage might easily have resulted.

The neighborhood surrounding the burned structure has grown rapidly within the past year.  Many residences are now in course of construction and the school census report shows a wonderful gain in populating throughout the district.  The fire last night caused many of the residents great alarm, and several declare they will carry the matter to the Fire Commissioners in an effort to secure protection.

_____    

CITY NEEDS MORE
HYDRANTS, SAYS
FIRE CHIEF.
__
City Growing Too Fast for Force
of 200 Men to Keep Up.
Firemen Helpless--Have to
Let Building Burn.
__

With two hundred men at work placing new hydrants in position Chief Walter Lips of the Fire Department says the men could not supply the demand in a year if the city remained at a standstill instead of growing.

    At the fire at Western avenue and Flint street Friday night, the firemen were forced to stand by while the building was destroyed because there was no hydrant near the scene and no way to get water.

    "This is not the only place in the city where there are no hydrants."  Chief Lips said.  "There are places even worse than this.  But what can we do?  This city is growing so fast we cannot keep up with the progress it is making.  We ought to have 1000 men at work placing hydrants.  I will take the matter up at once with the Mayor and see if we cannot get the Water Department to do more than it is doing."

    The Fire Commissioners are to hold a special meeting Monday morning to take action on the questions of automatic sprinklers.  At this meeting Chief Lips will ask the commission to include a recommendation for the Water Commissioners to increase the ....

The Los Angeles Times, June 30, 1906

The Los Angeles Examiner, July 1, 1906




Source: Fireman Henry F. McCann
Scrap Book Collection
Circa 1914
Source: Fireman Henry F. McCann
Scrap Book Collection
Circa 1914

 


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