Fire Hall

This barn was built in 1880 at the home of Grand Island banker Charles F. Bentley, the father of Mrs. Bayard Paine, Sr. It was located at 2nd and Cleburn streets, Grand Island, and the original cost was $250. Today it houses the Learned Hose Company. The creation of a fire department in a town was a landmark in the town's history. It meant that residents of the town had come to identify their interests with the interests of the community. And they didn't want to see their town destroyed by fire. These were wooden towns, any carelessness could be a disaster! Since most towns had no money in their treasury to buy fire equipment, socials were held by the firemen to raise funds. A well-to-do resident might donate funds to purchase equipment and uniforms for the volunteers. The grateful firemen then placed the benefactor's name on their equipment.

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