PHOTOS: Key West boasts one of the largest collections of historic wooden structures in the country. Credit for the designation often goes to historic preservationists, who recognized decades ago the value in protecting those properties and hanging on to the islandโs history. But another entity was essential in ensuring those structures stood long enough to become a historic district โ the Key West Fire Department, which was founded 150 years ago.
Key West will mark a century and a half of firefighters and first responders at a public celebration on Saturday, Oct. 11 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Truman Waterfront Park. The event will feature a parade of fire trucks and fire boats along the East Quay Wall, as well as live demonstrations, food and free family-friendly activities. City officials created the Key West Fire Department in November 1875, 12 years after the Great Fire of 1886 incinerated more than 50 acres of Old Town โ although, back then, it was just โtown.โ
