Firehouse No. 4 and No. 6
Charlotte Fire Station no. 4 was built between 1925 and 1926 by Charles Christian Hook. The new fire stations that were built during this time changed drastically because of the shift from horsedrawn engines to motorized engines. Hook designed most of the new stations which included new "amenities such as cement floors rather than wooden floors, ample windows for ventilation, and the placement of kitchens in stations to support a two-platoon system of labor." (1)
Hook had a unique responsibilty to blend these new stations into the suburban neighborhoods where they served. Hook responded accordingly to his responsiblity to make the stations safe, functionable, and attractive.
Station no. 4 served as a firehouse until 1972 when it was replaced. Since then the station has been used as an art gallery, a firefighting museum, and recently it has been rumored to open as a pub in the near future. (2)
Similarly to Station no. 4, Station no. 6 was built in order to accommodate the growing Charlotte population and the new motorized fire engines. It was built between 1928 and 1929 and served the Elizabeth, Myers Park, Eastover, and Crescent Heights suburbs. (3) This fire station was unique because of its attractive brick and stone facade. It also contained all the safety features and amenities as Station no. 4. The station is still in use today, almost identical to its original state. No. 6 is seen as one of Hook's most charming and unique buildings.
Both stations were vital to the communities that surrounded them. They served to protect their communities while offering a beautiful look to integrate them into their surrounding neighborhoods.
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1. "Survey and Research Report on Charlotte Firestation no. 4," Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission, last modified September 20, 2007. http://www.cmhpf.org.
2. Ibid.
3. "Charlotte Fire Station no. 6," Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission, Accessed October 10, 2012. http://landmarkscommission.org.