A historically all-black firehouse in Denver’s Five Points neighborhood has been added to the National Register of Historic Places, History Colorado announced Tuesday.
Fire Station No. 3 is the longest continuously operating fire station in the city, owned and operated by the Denver Fire Department since 1931, and was Denver’s only all-black fire station, according to a press release from History Colorado.
All-Black firefighters operated out of the station — also known as the Pride of the Points — between 1931 and 1957, when the Denver Fire Department was disbanded.
“This designation honors the resilience and contributions of African American firefighters who served this community during a challenging time in our history and underscores the importance of Station No. 3 as not just a facility, but a heritage site that reflects the courage and dedication of all . firefighters who have served for generations,” Denver Fire Chief Desmond Fulton said in the news release.
Although many of the structures surrounding Fire Station No. 3 have been redeveloped, the firehouse at 2500 North Washington Street has retained “an incredible level of historic integrity,” History Colorado officials said.
The old-fashioned appearance helps connect the community to the station’s “historic role as an oasis where the black community could go for safety” and everything from car repairs to haircuts during Denver’s segregated past, History Colorado officials said.
“Station No. 3 was and continues to be a cornerstone of the Five Points neighborhood,” said Terri Gentry, Black community engagement manager at History Colorado. “The story is one of courage, dedication and love in the face of discrimination.”
The fire station at 2500 North Washington Street was chosen for the registry as part of Colorado’s History “Colorado heritage for allinitiative, the release said.
The goal of the initiative is to identify 150 unrecognized spaces and places that tell the stories of communities of color, women, and LGBTQ+ Coloradans, and to add all of these locations to the State Register of Historic Places by the end of 2026.
“Fire Station No. 3 is a beautiful building that is a testament to the bravery and community leadership of the all-black fire crew with decades of service,” said Dawn DiPrince, president of History Colorado and state historic preservation officer, in the news release. “Our Colorado Heritage for All Initiative aims to ensure that important history like this is represented in the official historical memory and endures well into the future.”
The nomination to add the firehouse to the state and national historic registers was submitted in May and approved in July, according to state records.
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