Engine Company No. 21

The Companies		The Fire Houses
Engine Co. No. 21 (HAZ MAT TF4, SQ 4, RA4 & RA804 moved to FS21) (E-21 moved to FS4) HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TASK FORCE 21, SQUAD 21, RA 21, RA 821	09/01/1907 06/13/2011 to Present	1187 East 52nd Street (Destroyed by 1933 earthquake) 4925 Compton Avenue (Temporary Qtrs) 1187 East 52nd Street (new building) 1192 East 51st Street	09/01/1907 03/10/1933 12/15/1941 04/2008 to Present

Engine Company No. 21
1187 East 52nd Street
1907 to 1916

Source: LAFD Photo Album Collection
Engine Company No. 21
1187 East 52nd Street
Circa 1907

In service September 1, 1907 this building served as Engine Co. 21
until 1933 when it was destroyed by the Long Beach Earthquake..

Source: LAFD Photo Album Collection

The Engine on a run past the fire House.

Circe 1907

Source: Rodger Embury Collection

Engine Company No. 21
responding past the fire house
on 52nd Street.

Circa 1907

Engine 21
1908

SNOWBALL

    Assistant Chief O'Donnell wanted him turned out to pasture. Instead, Snowball, a veteran firehorse of many a wild race through the city streets pulling a steamer, was loaned to the Park Department for hauling a lawn-mower.
    Near the station houses of Engine 21 and Engine 22, a gardener was cutting lawns at South Park when there was a shriek of sirens and a clang of bells. Snowball pricked up his snow-white ears expectantly. The clangor approached from two directions. They raced by each side of the park with their snorting engines. Not a horse in sight. Nothing but thundering exhaust, bells and sirens.
    "He stood stock still for a second," said the gardener with his thick Irish brogue, "then his proud auld head dropped and he wouldn't pull the devil a bit more that day. An the next marnin when aye went to hitch him up again, there the poor baste lay dead as a nit--rest his sowl, if he had one!   Sure and aye think his heart was broke."
    The following was transmitted to the office of the Fire Commission: "Firehorse #129, loaned to the Park Department May 9, 1918 died at South Park January 20, 1919."
    Yes, with honor and distinction.

Based upon newspaper accounts of those times.

Opened	September 1, 1907
Land Cost	$ 1,470.