The Fire Stations of Newburyport

In 1823, the citizens of Newburyport replaced the ramshackle sheds at the town landing with a brick market house with a great hall on the second floor used for lectures, concerts, and town meetings. In that same year, the first fire engine, the Eon, moved into one of the market bays. It was fully converted into a full-fledge fire house in 1864 with lodging and offices on the second level and the Newburyport Fire Department became the primary occupant for the next 100 years, until abandoned in 1964.

Fire Hose No 1 (Present-day Unicorn Street) housed Little Mac No. 1 which was built by Amoskeag Works in 1873. In 1878, the fire house was closed and the firemen and equipment moved to the Market Square Central Station.

The Congress Street station housed the Nott Sreamer No. 3 which was purchased in 1904. It replaced Naiad Queen No. 3 which was sent on to be housed at the Central fire station and became reserve engine No. 4.

Built in 1890, the Engine Hose No. 2 is located at the intersection of Federal Street and Horton Street. It housed Mechanic Steamer No. 2 and Hose Wagon No. 2. The building was closed and used by the city for various uses until the early 1960’s when Bossy Gillis purchased it shortly before his death. Engine No. 2 was built in 1867 by the Manchester Locomotive works and rebuilt in 1906 by the International Power Company in Manchester, NH.

Engine House No. 8 Neptune. Originally located on Purchase Street near Madison Street. It was fully staffed as of 1899 but later torn down and an open lot is presently in that location.

Built in 1834, Steamer Mechanic No. 2 is located at the bottom of Federal Street on Water Street. It housed the Steamer which was built in 1867 by the Amoskeag Works in Manchester, NH. Building was sold and renovations began in 2005.

Fire Hose No. 7. Originally built as a schoolhouse in 1860 (North School), it was turned into a fire station approximately before the 20^th century arrived. It was sold to a private resident in 1943.