San Francisco and fire have a special relationship; the City's seal features the Phoenix. This small, simple museum is attached to a working fire station next door. It features artifacts from the early days of fire fighting in San Francisco, from the all-volunteer era to the emergence of a dedicated fire department. It's free, with limited hours and volunteer staff, and you can find it at 655 Presidio Avenue. It just reopened after a lengthy COVID-mandated closure. Outtakes below.
Not even steam-powered, this is an antique hand-pumper.
The evolution of fire hydrants. The round knob on top were to tie your horse's reins to it.
Where utility and beauty come together. The wheel of an old horse-drawn steam pumper.
Your home burned down, but they saved your bed!
When the alarm rang, firemen quickly pulled on gear, and horses slid into their harnesses.
The old-time fire alarm system.
Everything was so ornate back in the day.
The original fire bell that hung in Portsmouth Square during San Francisco's earliest days. When it rang out, people were alerted to the fire, and came running to help put it out.
(See if you can spot the typo in the dedication.) The bell was damaged during the 1906 earthquake and fire.
Items damaged by the 1906 Earthquake & Fire.
Lillie Coit, of Coit Tower fame, and beloved supporter of SF's Knickerbocker #5 firefighting crew. She often accompanied them on their runs.
Some of Lillie's personal effects, including her official fire hat, with "LIL" on the front.
Elaborate artwork on the old hand-pumped, horse-drawn fire fighting rig.
Speaking Trumpets, precursor to the megaphone, were used by officers to direct efforts during the din of a fire. The crazy level of ornate detail in the ones above were crafted as part of ceremonial presentations.
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