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The purpose is to provide a permanent place and the means of displaying known facts and historical memorabilia associated with the development of San Carlos, California.
THE INSPIRATION. One of the first fire engines in use in San Carlos, a 1927 model Seagrave, was declared surplus by the City. Several members of the Fire Department became interested in restoring the engine to its original condition. After contributing 800 hours of voluntary labor, researching, obtaining assistance from local firms in re-manufacturing and restoring many components, the firemen obtained their objective. An authentic restoration... a thing of beauty... a “Blue Ribbon” winner... it needed a home. |
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THE CONSTRUCTION. From the date of agreement to the actual ground breaking consumed considerable time. Architectural plans, environmental impact study, some bad weather, and of course, project funding all played roles. Ground breaking ceremonies took place on February 17, 1973, on the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of the San Carlos Volunteer Fire Department. The plans for the museum accommodated the desire to duplicate the original structure within reason, but provide more space to house a complete museum.
Target dates for each phase of the construction were hard to accomplish, but perhaps that is easy to understand since all labor was voluntary. The exception to this was contracts for the roof covering and the concrete floor. All funding for the Museum came from San Carlos Lions Club activities, donations from interested citizens and other civic-minded San Carlos groups. There was no mortgage to burn ! |
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THE SITE. The time was late 1970. Through contacts made with the City Council, it was learned that the “original” firehouse on Laurel Street, adjacent to the present station #1 was by today’s standards a hazardous structure beyond salvage. The old building which also housed our first City Hall; was constructed in 1923 entirely by voluntary labor by members of the Volunteer Fire Department. Since the building was not safe, the Lions Club officers, board and museum committee members met with the City Council and proposed to replace the old building with a modern structure for use as a museum. After reasonable consideration, the Council agreed to make the site available, clear off the old building and accept the museum as a gift to the City.
DEDICATION. Eleven years after the idea of a museum was born, after more than $20,000 in expenditure and almost an equal number of man hours spent, the San Carlos Lions Club turned over the Museum to the City of San Carlos in a dedication ceremony on September 26, 1981. | |
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