On January 17, 1909 Durham City Hall was gutted by fire. The loss was complete. The $50,000 building was totally destroyed. The City Alderman launched a serious investigation into the workings of the Fire Department. The results of this investigation, the City Alderman stated that “effective service cannot be given by volunteers, compared with other North Carolina cities all points to one thing; Durham will have a paid Fire Department”.

On February 15, 1909 Dennis C. Christian was named the new Chief of the Department and the paid department was instituted on March 1, 1909.

In 1924 Station 1 was torn down to make room for its new house. This station served the department until 1964 when it was closed. The building still stands and is currently an office building. The new station 1 opened on Morgan St. in 1964 and is the current home to Engine 1, Ladder 1, Squad 1, Battalion 1, MS-1, and FD-5.

Hook and Ladder Co. 1 has been serving the citizens of Durham since 1880 and it continues to serve proudly.


Circa 1800's


Circa late 1800's


Circa 1920's


Circa 1960's


1971


1989


L-1 1996 - 2006