The clock is ticking on a 123-year-old Minnesota firehouse
Click here to watch story on St. Paul’s Fire Station 10
As a boy, Adrian Nowaczewski loved the old brick neighborhood fire station that stood at 754 Randolph Avenue. “It’s always been a part of my life since I was a kid,” recalled Nowaczewski. “It’s on a nice side street with the people walking by, sittin’ out, a lot of people coming over for tours, kids wanting to see the old barn.”
Today, Nowaczewski is a Captain in the St. Paul Fire Department, who has spent 16 of his 25 years in the department at Fire Station 10. “I pinch myself every day I come to a job like this,” he says.
St. Paul Station 10 in 1887. See more about Station 10 and more Minnesota fire history at The Extra Alarm Association of the Twin Cities website.
When it was first built in 1885, horses pulled steam powered pumper wagons to fires. Until a couple of years ago, fire crews had to sweep up bits of hay and oats that would fall from the old feed loft.
All that history will soon be in the rear view mirror. Wednesday, dignitaries broke ground on a new, 15.2 million dollar Fire Complex that will sit on the corner of West 7th Street and Randolph Avenue. It will combine Stations 1 and 10, and also serve as headquarters for the Fire Department Administration.
“This is the greatest department in the entire country,” reasoned St. Paul City Councilman Dave Thune, “and you deserve the kind of facility that helps you do your job better.”
The new complex will feature more comfortable work and living spaces, upgraded technology, and a drive-thru garage so rig drivers don’t have to back in.
While acknowledging that the new station will be more comfortable and current, Captain Nowaczewski is quick to say he will miss the old firehouse he grew up with.
“I’m gonna miss the place… it was a great house.”
