HISTORY & SIGNIFICANCE Historic Context Statement of Context
Boulder Fire Station No. 2 is associated with the themes of Fire Protection Development and Architecture within the City of Boulder, as well as in the wider context of the United States. The building was erected in 1908 in the American Foursquare style that was a common design for residential buildings. Isaac T. Shockley designed the Fire Station No. 2, as well as No. 3, in the same style around the same time; however, Fire Station No. 3 is no longer standing. 5 This unfortunate event has made Fire Station No. 2 unique and individual to the City of Boulder. Background History Boulder Fire Station No. 2 was erected in 1908 at the request of Fire Chief George Fonda, in the University Hill Neighborhood of Boulder, Colorado. The fire department originally housed stables for the horses that carried their wagons that were later replaced with fire trucks. The fire station was in continuous use for 50 years, until it was replaced in 1958 with the larger, more modern station located at the corner of Broadway and Baseline. Fire Station No. 2 was Boulder’s second municipal fire station and is the sole survivor from that era. 6 Boulder Fire Station No. 2 is currently used as a pottery studio for community use, education, and recreation. The transition into a pottery studio began in 1958 when the City of Boulder Pottery Lab moved into the building after the fire station had been decommissioned that the same year. The Pottery Lab was originally operated and maintained by Boulder Parks and Recreation Department until 2015 when a local program, Studio Arts Boulder, took over the Pottery Lab program, which has maintained it ever since. 7 Definition of the Context Boulder Fire Station No. 2 is associated with the themes of Architecture and Fire Protection Development. The building maintains high historic integrity and reflects both the American Foursquare style, popular during the early 20th century in the United States, and the technical aspects of firefighting during the same time. Development of the Theme or Area of Significance The introduction of the fire station to the University Hill neighborhood was critical during a time when fire protection was limited but often needed. The University Hill Neighborhood is a highly residential area. Before sophisticated motorized equipment was invented, men and horses were the only power available for fire protection. Frame buildings, gas lamps, and wood-burning stoves contributed to the constant fires that threatened Boulder in the early days. The first organized fire protection department was created in 1871. Shortly after Boulder Fire Station No. 2 was erected. 8 Based on the period at which it was built, Fire Station No. 2's overall design was influenced by the American Foursquare style. Most commonly, this form of architecture was utilized for residential dwellings in the early 20th century; however, it was common in that era for stations to be designed to blend in with surrounding houses of the neighborhood. 9 This makes the Fire Station No. 2 unique to the University Hill Neighborhood, the City of Boulder, and the nationwide story of fire department architectural development altogether. The character-defining features of the Fire Station are reminiscent of other typical Foursquare style buildings with its simple, cubic shape and floor plan, low pitched, hipped roof with a deep overhang, and a large, hipped central dormer.
5 Boulder (Colo.). Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board, 1979-87. Fire Station No. 2 (Boulder, Colo.) Landmark Designation Papers, 2. 6 Ibid. 7 “History.” Studio Arts Boulder. 8 Boulder (Colo.). Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board, 1979-87. Fire Station No. 2 (Boulder, Colo.) Landmark Designation Papers, 2. 9 Hafner, Katherine. “VA Fire Station Designated State Landmark.” Firehouse, The Virginian-Pilot, 18 Dec. 2019
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