Indianapolis Fire Fighters Museum

In 1996, Local 416 opened the Indianapolis Firefighters Museum to celebrate the history of the Fire Service in central Indiana and the fire department’s contribution to the Indianapolis community.

In 1984, the President of Local 416, Mike Schenk, and his Executive Board were on the search for a location for a new Union Hall. It was then that they came across Fire Station #2 which had opened in January of 1872 near the corner of College and Massachusetts Ave. At the time, Fire Station #2 was coincidentally enough, a firetrap filled with flammable remains of a laminating business.

Indianapolis Firefighters Union then decided to restore Fire Station #2 along with an adjacent livery stable. With a good amount of community support, the building has been restored and stands as an anchor on the north end of Massachusetts Avenue along with art galleries, small shops, restaurants, and hotels.

The museum features a 1921 Stutz ladder truck, a 1919 Stutz pumper, a 1941 IFD Shop-built pumper, and a 1949 International Harvester pumper refurbished by members of the former Warren Township Fire Department. Memorabilia, photos, and equipment have been donated by local firefighters.

Today historic station #2 features classical and Italianate details, a restored bell tower, and twin fire poles. Station #2 also serves as the Indianapolis Professional Firefighters Union Headquarters.