Large, tragic fires marked Oshkosh’s early years. This is due in part to a huge lumber industry and a town built of wooden structures. As well as we can recall great fires we also have MENTALmaps of where each firehouse is, or was. Just like many old buildings in town, they bring back memories and make up the landmarks we collect in our minds. One firehouse that served its purpose well for 87 years is the West New York Avenue House No. 8, located on the corner of Central Street and New York Avenue. Arthur H. Apel’s “History of the Fire Department” states that in 1910-11 “the addition of two engine houses, namely No. 6 in the 13th ward and No. 8 in the tenth” begun. The Daily Northwestern of February 14th, 1911 announced that the Board of PUBLIC Works had reported that the bids for the construction of this new hose house had come in, awarding the contract to J. T. Raycraft with the low bid of $9,500. The plumbing bid was awarded to J. McCallan for $365. On March 29th the board awarded the bid for the new hose wagon to Gabriel Streich. The wagon, hook and ladder attachments would cost $440. The Daily Northwestern later reported in April of 1911 that the construction was going along with the work to be done for occupancy in July. The foundation was noted as being made of concrete, with steel beams to support the second floor and red pressed brick on the outside walls. It appears that in 1947 remodeling was done to the station with the addition of a drill tower for new recruit practice. In the 1960’s the façade of the building was reworked with aluminum and spancrete to give the station a “modern” look. By 1987 it had become clear that a realignment of stations was needed to meet Oshkosh’s growth. It was decided to shift the New York Avenue and Central Street station to the Bowen Street and Murdock Avenue area (Station No. 18). So what was created for an expanding city in 1911 was deemed obsolete by 1998 due to a different pattern of growth. At the time of its 1998 closing, Firehouse No. 8 was the oldest operating firehouse in Oshkosh. In the spring of 1999 Laib Restoration purchased the station. Renovation took place from December of 1999 through October of 2001. Currently the station houses the corporate offices of Laib Restoration in the former truck bays, with two APARTMENTS on the 1st floor and four more on the 2nd floor. Another apartment occupies the tower, with the master bedroom on the second floor, kitchen on the first floor and the third floor empty. Laib Restoration retained all of the original millwork and floors and the front of the building was returned to the 1910-11 appearance. Firehouse No. 8 can still be viewed with pride as another great landmark in Oshkosh.
Posted on: Mon, 28 Jul 2014 20:10:03 +0000
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