Charlotte Fire Station No. 4

Station no. 4 in the late 1920s

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 horse-drawn 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 responsibility to blend these new stations into the suburban neighborhoods where they served.  Hook responded accordingly to his responsibility to make the stations safe, functional, and attractive.

Station no. 4 as the Firefighting Museum

Station no. 4 served as a firehouse until 1972 when it was replaced by a newer building.  Since it closed its doors as a station, it has been used as an art gallery and a firefighting museum.  The station was deemed a historic landmark in 2007 and has since been purchased by Roger Stacks, president of Preferred Parking Service Inc. (2) In 2011, there were plans to open a restaurant inside the space named CC Hook's Taphouse, named after Hook's architecture; however, the taphouse never opened and the space is now for sale or lease as a restaurant. (3)

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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.cmhpg.org. 

2. "Vintage Fire Station has New Owner," Charlotte Observer, August 1, 2008. http://www.charlotteobserver.com.

3. "Mission: Possible," Charlotte Business Journal, February 4, 2011. http://www.bizjournals.com.