"Curtis Bay" Fireboat Station
..In 1919, the City of Baltimore annexed a long strip of territory from the northern end of Anne Arundel County. This included the waterfront areas of Fairfield, Curtis Bay, and Hawkins Point, which was predominantly occupied by petroleum, chemical, and fertilizer works.
..The Baltimore City Fire Department established marine fire protection for this area with the activation of Engine Co.49 (Fireboat S.C.- 428), on June 27, 1921. On December 16, 1921, they occupied their new quarters, located on the outer end of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Sugar House Wharf, foot of Benhill Avenue, Curtis Bay. The small two-story wood-frame structure was built by the City, with the property being leased from the B & O Railroad.
..The Baltimore City Fire Department established marine fire protection for this area with the activation of Engine Co.49 (Fireboat S.C.- 428), on June 27, 1921. On December 16, 1921, they occupied their new quarters, located on the outer end of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Sugar House Wharf, foot of Benhill Avenue, Curtis Bay. The small two-story wood-frame structure was built by the City, with the property being leased from the B & O Railroad.
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..To reach the head of the pier where their station stands, the members of Engine 49 had to walk along unused railroad spur tracks which were slowly caving in as the wharf beneath crumbled into the harbor. By 1952, large cracks were appearing in the kitchen and shower room floor of the station. “We expect to find the house gone when we come back one of these nights”, remarked one of 49’s crew. By this time the National Board of Fire Underwriters was recommending either a new location for the company, or a new fireboat with living accommodations on board.
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..On September 16, 1956, Engine Co. 49 placed their new Fireboat, “Mayor Thomas D’Alesandro, Jr.” in service. This new boat was designed with living accommodations on board, and on August 22, 1958, the Company moved onto the boat, and relocated to the City owned Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Plant at Wagners Point.
..The old Curtis Bay Station was closed, and abandoned by the Fire Department. The building, along with the entire pier was removed by the railroad in the 1960’s.
BACK TO OLD STATIONS
..The old Curtis Bay Station was closed, and abandoned by the Fire Department. The building, along with the entire pier was removed by the railroad in the 1960’s.
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