317-319 Decatur St.

"Yesterday at about half past 4 o'clock in the afternoon, the persons at work in the office of the Courier, discovered that the top of a large building pertaining to a certain grog shop, designated by the appellation of the New York & Philadelphia Hotel, was on fire. This hotel is situated on the Levee, between Bienville and Conti and the building is immediately in the rear of our office: one of our young men went immediately to give the information to the proprietor, who although on the premises was not aware of the danger that threatened him. The cry of fire had been raised for upwards of thirty minutes through the streets, before the bells of the Cathedral were put in motion, although ten or twelve persons from our establishment, which was exposed to the greatest danger, went to the police, or those whose duty it was to attend such matters, to cause the bells to be rung, and to send an Engine in our yard, where it might have been worked to the best advantage. But neither our requests nor our prayers were attended to, and it was long after that the alarm bell was sounded and that only for a few minutes. However, the City Surveyor being repaired to our establishment, discovered in the imminent danger to which the whole neighborhood was exposed, if an engine was not placed in the rear of the house which was then a prey to the flames, took the trouble of procuring one which he stationed in our yard. The engine was filled with water, and strong and vigorous arms applied to set it in motion; but it was scarcely in operation when the house to which the pipe was attached burst, and instead of throwing water on the flames, sprinkled it over the useful and useless persons who were present. There was nothing wonderful in all of this, for it seems a settled point that all the city affairs are doomed to a similar fate, whilst their management is entrusted to unskillful hands. Luckily Engines No. 2 and No. 4 were placed on the Levee, and their hose conveyed through the front building so as to play with great effect on the fire which at this time had completely enveloped the upper story of the house in the rear. Engine No. 1 which was playing in the rear, did great exertion contributed much to extinguish the flames; and Engine No. 3, posted in front of our door, with its pipe conveyed through our yard, is entitled to thanks for the activity and skill with which the operations were conducted. Too much praise cannot be bestowed on the exertions of these four engines but more particularly Nos. 1 and 2, the first to reach the spot, and which are always in the best state of repair, for the simple reason that they do not belong to our City Administration. The others, although the best of those belonging to the Corporation, are not so efficient... "

p.4, c.1

"The Central Fire Station was erected in 1914, at 317-321 Decatur Street. The architect was A. E. Christy, then city architect, and now architect for the Orleans Parish School Board. The cost was about $75,000... and occupies a space about 90' by 127'... "

p.16

Quarter Quencher
[Central Fire Station interior renovation]

[w/photos]

Central Fire Station

Date of construction: 1914

Architect/Builder: A. E. Christy, City Architect

Former Rating: Orange - 20th Century Building

New Rating: (Oct. 19, 1976) Yellow - worthy of preservation as part of the scene.

Conclusions:
1) Because of its scale, materials, increasing age, is an important element in environmental character of historic district.
2) An example in adaptive and recycled use of turn of the century buildings.

Drawings: May exist, but not readily available.

Maps:
Sanborn 1876: Called 65 Decatur Street. Present structure not noted. Indicated as a 2-story masonry structure with rear attached service building.

Sanborn 1896: Called 317-319 Decatur Street. Present structure not noted. Indicated as a 2-story liquor store with rear attachment.