Tulsa Fire Alarm Building
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Tulsa Fire Alarm Building | |
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| Location | Tulsa, Oklahoma |
|---|---|
| Built | 1931 |
| Architect | Kershner, Frederick V.; Smith & Senter |
| Architectural style | Art Deco |
| NRHP reference No. | 03000879[1] |
| Added to NRHP | September 2, 2003 |
The Tulsa Fire Alarm Building is a historic Art Deco building at 1010 East Eighth Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It was built in 1931 and served as the central reporting station for the Tulsa Fire Department. Fires were reported from alarm boxes spread around town to this building and the firemen in this building would alert the fire station closest to the fire. At the time of its construction this system was the best available alarm system. The building is just east of the Inner Dispersal Loop in Tulsa's Pearl District.[2]
The building was designed by architect Frederick V. Kershner and inspired by Mayan temple design. The building has an extensive terra cotta frieze program, with several fire-related motifs. A recurring theme on the front facade is a double-headed dragon. The large frieze over the front door depicts a naked male figure holding in his hands Gamewell alarm tape (part of the first alarm system used in this building; the paper tape was punched with the number of the fire alarm box making the call) and who is flanked by two helmeted firefighters. The building originally had two large art deco style lanterns above the front doorway. The back side of the building has four gargoyle-like figures topped with a hatchet on either side of nine windows.[3]
The building was used by the Fire department until 1984. It was left vacant and fell into disrepair. In 1994, it was purchased by Martin Newman, chairman of the Tulsa Preservation Commission. In 2000, The American Lung Association of Oklahoma purchased the building as its new headquarters. After a $5 million fund-raising campaign, the renovation of the building was completed in 2005. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003, under Criteria A and C. The NRIS number is 03000879.[3]
In 2015, the Tulsa World reported that the American Lung Association plans to sell the building soon. A group of fire history buffs and other interested people wish to buy the building and turn it into a museum that would display a large collection of fire fighting memorabilia.[2]
References
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
- ^ a b [http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/local/local-firefighting-supporters-raising-money-to-buy-tulsa-fire-alarm/article_17540410-87f2-55b2-95c1-dd4024cf3523.html Wade, Jarrel. "Local firefighting supporters raising money to buy Tulsa Fire Alarm Building for museum." Tulsa World. March 20, 2015.
- ^ a b "Fire Alarm Building." Tulsa Preservation Commission. Accessed July 29, 2015.
External links
- Tulsa Preservation Commission
- National Trust for Historic Preservation, Preservation Online
- Hall of Flame Fire Museum on Gamewell alarm system
- 1991 Tulsa World Article - Fire Alarm Building and Brooke Callery
