High Street, Wimbledon Village: Fire Station
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| Partial / Incomplete Date | c.1895 |
|---|---|
| Area | Wimbledon Village |
| Copyright 1 | The Collectors' Publishing Co, London |
| Picture Reference | Wim_7_1-23 |
| Original Format | Postcard |
| Notes / History | The first local fire station was built near the parish workhouse on Wimbledon Common in 1816 and housed a second hand manual pump. The arrival of the railway led to a rapid increase in the number of homes, shops and business in the local area and there was now a need for a larger, more professional fire service. The property with the bell tower, picture right, was built c. 1890, to house the new brigade. It housed a horse-drawn, steam powered engine and the building was subsequently equipped with a telephone. The bells in the tower were used to summon members of the volunteer brigade in the event of a call-out. The building still survives but has now been converted into shops. |
