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The history of the Rocky Mount Fire Department dates to 1894, when the mayor appointed two councilmen to "canvass the town and ascertain if a volunteer fire company could be organized." The first fire engine was purchased a year later and the first fire station was a rented building at the corner of Sunset Avenue and Sorsby's Alley. By 1924, the Rocky Mount Fire Department had two stations with six paid men, and 49 volunteers.
In neighboring Wilson, the first volunteer fire company was organized around 1880. The first fire engine was a steamer purchased in 1887 and the first fire station was located in the City Hall building on Goldsboro Street. The volunteer department was reorganized as a paid entity on August 1, 1938. Eleven full-time members filled the roster along with 26 paid "call men," volunteers who received a small monthly salary.
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Old Station 2 404 South Church Street, Rocky Mount |
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Old Station 3 2621 Sunset Avenue, Rocky Mount |
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Old Station 4 3041 North Church Street, Rocky Mount |
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Old Station 1 209 North Douglas Street, Wilson |
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Old Station 2 300 Fairview Avenue, Wilson |
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Old Station 5 2313 Stantonsburg Road, Wilson |
Rocky Mount Central Station. Photo courtesy Rocky
Mount Fire Department.
In Rocky Mount, the most prominent early fire station was located at 163 Northeast Main Street. Built by 1907 as part of a municipal complex, the station saw the adjoining buildings serve a number of functions ranging from town offices to a fish market. The complex was demolished in 1964 after Station 1 relocated to 101 South George Street. Prior to the Main Street location, the fire department was housed at 21 Sunset Avenue beginning about 1896.
In Wilson, the first fire station was located at 824 Goldsboro Street. As early as 1893, the two-story building housed the fire department on the first floor and City Hall on the second. By 1903, the building was renumbered 115 North Goldsboro Street. By 1908, additional buildings were added to the east side of the fire station. The two-story municipal complex included a courthouse, market house, and jail. It was destroyed by fire in 1925.
The original Station 3 was located on East Nash
Street. It was opened in 1956 and relocated in 1996.
The one-story structure was demolished in 1997.
Rocky Mount Fire Department
Wilson Fire Department
Braswell Memorial Library
A centennial book about the Rocky Mount Fire Department was published in 1996. Search the Library Catalog for keywords "Rocky Mount Fire"
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps via NC LIVE
Requires password available from your local library. After logging into NC LIVE, click Browse Resources and select Maps
A version of this article was published on FireNews.net on September 13, 2005.
Copyright 2023 by Michael J. Legeros