The Brookline Firehouse was built in 1909 at the corner of Castlegate Avenue and Brookline Boulevard. Today, it is the oldest standing engine house in the City of Pittsburgh. This neighborhood historic landmark, with its dedicated crew of firemen, is nearing 100 years of service to the community.

The original crew of city firemen that manned the station used the lookout tower to spot fires, and then responded in a horse-drawn wagon with a steamer pump. Fire hoses were hung to dry from the crows nest. The crows nest lookout was replaced with mechanical call boxes located on street corners. These boxes remained in place until the 1980s when they were replaced with the "Call 911" telephone service.

Motorized transportation arrived in 1914 and since that time the community has witnessed a steady progression of new firemen and new firetrucks. The engine house, however, has remained a constant, a silent guardian that roars to life whenever there is a threat of fire. It has seen some renovation over the years but for the most part it is the same building that has served Brookline for nearly a century.

Today's firemen not only respond in case of fire, but they also act as a first response team whenever the city's Emergency Medical Services are needed. Their quick response and training have stabilized many a medical emergency before the paramedics even arrive. These brave and talented men and women truly are the Angels on our shoulders.

Below are some photos of the firehouse and the progression of fire engines that have become such a familiar site on Brookline Boulevard. The Brookline community sends its heartfelt thanks to the local firemen who time and time again have put their own personal safety on the line to help preserve the lives and homes of our fellow neighbors.

The Brookline Firehouse - 1911
The Brookline Firehouse - 1920
Brookline's Fire Engine - 1949
Brookline's New Fire Engine - 1951
The Brookline Firehouse - 1952
Brookline's New Ladder Truck - 1966
The Brookline Firehouse - 1998

We are always looking for old photos of the firehouse or the firemen that served in Brookline. If anyone out there has information that they would like to share, please email the information to history@spdconline.org.