March 11 – Nickwackett Fire Station

modern view of Nickwackett Fire Station and boarding house

Hattie Blakely, while she attended Rutland High School in 1867, lived with her Uncle Marshall and Aunt Mary at 2 Nickwackett Street.  Across the street was one of the two fire stations in Rutland at that time.

Nickwackett Fire Station,
by Donna Wilkins

In her letters home, Hattie described a few ways in which she was affected by the presence of city fires and a fire station nearby:

Sept 4, in a note to her little brother Herbert:  “The firemen are to have their yearly celebration tomorrow.  You would like to see the water squirting up into the air, would you Herbie.”

Sept 21:  “Last evening we were startled by the alarm of fire down in the new block but it was soon extinguished.”

Oct 4:  “We called at Uncle Jacobs one evening this week.  The fire at Centre Rutland could be seen here very plain.  Uncle M said it seemed as though you in Pawlet might almost see it.”

Nov 5:  “Perhaps you will wonder at my writing in class.  The reason is that I have a little more leisure than usal on account of the fire this afternoon.”

In 1858, the Nickwackett Engine Company #1 had been formed and a new building was erected at the corner of Center and Nickwackett Streets.  (In 1860, the Washington Engine Company #2 and the Union Hook & Ladder Company #1 were organized. They were temporarily housed in a building at the intersection of Strongs Avenue and Washington Street, until new quarters were provided with the building of city hall on Washington Street.)

1868 firemen with pump engine

Fire had always been a hazard in buildings warmed and lit by fireplaces, candles, and oil lamps.  Many of the businesses also used fires to melt metal and to power steam engines.  In Rutland, surrounded by quarries, stone buildings should have been more common, but most buildings were still constructed of wood.  After the Civil War, city fires in Rutland increased.  In cities across the country, city fire departments were formed, city water management was improved, and private insurance companies were formed to protect everyone from the worst devastation.

Today, the fire station on Nickwackett Street is used to house the Rutland Historical Society.

Rutland Fire Department history:  http://www.rutlandcity.org/index.asp?SEC=B8B900BB-795C-495F-9AFC-CAA0D6CEBD24&DE=693222F8-06C5-4A55-9909-5D83187712E4&Type=B_BASIC

Nickwackett Fire Station image:  http://www.donnawilkinsphotography.com/p254425529/h2A818659#h2a818659