Sunday, November 24, 2013

Clock Tower At The Fire Hall

I've taken many pics of this tower but never posted one until today. This is the clock tower at No 8 Hose Station located at College St & Bellevue Ave and it has to be one of the most recognizable landmarks in west-end Toronto. The original station was built in 1878 and housed a horse-drawn fire wagon, with the 8 storey high tower being added in 1899. The tower was used to dry hoses and also as a look-out post to watch for fires in the neighbourhood. In 1972 the station was destroyed by a fire set by an arsonist while the firecrew was out fighting a fire elsewhere, but the station and tower were rebuilt almost exactly the same as the original.
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17 comments:

  1. AndyNovember 24, 2013 at 9:08 AM

    One of my visually favourite Toronto fire halls.

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  2. PerthDailyPhotoNovember 24, 2013 at 10:31 AM

    Oh that is too bad Pat, the fire station burning down while the firemen were doing their job..makes you wonder if the fire they were off fighting wasn't deliberately set!

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  3. SharonNovember 24, 2013 at 10:38 AM

    I had the same thought as Grace above. It was beautifully rebuilt.

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  4. AnonymousNovember 24, 2013 at 11:01 AM

    Good that it was rebuilt in the same design as the original. Looks great against that beautiful blue sky too!

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  5. TexWisGirlNovember 24, 2013 at 11:10 AM

    it is very tall!

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  6. cieldequimperNovember 24, 2013 at 1:36 PM

    Shame on the arsonist... The tower is so high!

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  7. Taken For GrantedNovember 24, 2013 at 2:47 PM

    Beautifully rebuilt tower and building. Hope they caught the arsonist and he was punished to the letter of the law. What a history!

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  8. Billy Blue EyesNovember 24, 2013 at 2:59 PM

    I see you have mindless idiots who think it's funny to start fires, just a shame they were not burnt it it. Wonderful building with history

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  9. LúciaNovember 24, 2013 at 3:19 PM

    I love the way things are preserved in your country. I have to admit, this blue sky was distracting me! ;-)

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  10. William KendallNovember 24, 2013 at 7:29 PM

    An impressive building!

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  11. RandyNovember 24, 2013 at 9:13 PM

    That is one tall tower.

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  12. AnonymousNovember 25, 2013 at 2:54 AM

    It is very tall so it is used for many purposes...

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  13. HalcyonNovember 25, 2013 at 4:09 AM

    I love firehouses. I've always liked this one, but didn't know that bit of history.

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  14. Mike@Bit About BritainNovember 25, 2013 at 4:21 AM

    Interesting building - and story; I don't understand what motivates people to do stuff like that.

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  15. EG CameraGirlNovember 25, 2013 at 4:11 PM

    Oh, I have a photo of that fire hall somewhere. Hmmm. I wonder where it is.

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  16. Laura. MNovember 25, 2013 at 4:47 PM

    Very high, so that it looks good :))

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  17. Chrissy BrandNovember 26, 2013 at 5:08 AM

    Worth the wait- lovely day for it!

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