VIDEO/PHOTOS: A working sentinel of firefighting history in the United States, the Rex Laurel Fire Station in York was the center of attention on Sept. 26 for a rededication and grand opening that concludes a $2.5 million restoration and renovation project. Built in 1877, the station was designed for horses and wagons, which were used for firefighting at the station for the next three decades. The fire company at the time donated the land and the city paid $10,000 to build the structure, according to Charles Rhoads, who began with the department in 1955 and added that remark to York Mayor Michael Helfrich’s speech during the event.
The Rex Laurel is one of a handful of fire stations in the United States that has continued to operate out of the same location for almost 150 years. It is a working fire museum, with many of its original features still intact.
“History of this building goes beyond what I can say today. This building is not only a piece of fire department history for York City and York County. There is no history publication or pamphlet that does not include this building,” Chief William H. Sleeger, Jr. said during the event. “Being on the National Register of Historic Places, as one of the oldest continually operating stations in the country… This is the first time any significant upgrade of the building occurred. This project was long overdue. We are very grateful we were able to do this with some very forward thinking individuals,” Sleeger went on to say.
