Jersey City Fire Department
Engine No ?
This picture is from the 40s, when areas of Jersey City had started to deteriorate. The caption on the back of this picture talks about the slums of Jersey City...
But I have not figured out where this picture is taken. The Engine Number is illegible in the picture - but probably 3, 6 or 8 (though another digit would also be possible).
If one knew where the JC FD Engines where located from an old address directory, telephone book or similar, it would not be difficult to locate them in this map at Rutgers and determine where the photo was taken.
Do you happen to know where the fire stations were located? Do you know which one this is and where the photo was taken?
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Update 1 :
I have added a map of Engine No 6 on Henderson (now Marin), between 14 and 15th that some people in the community think it is - seems to be the best fit so far.
Update 2 :
Below I have added magnified details of the signs and the relief above the gate.
Children - Keep Out - Danger!
Jersey City Police
For Sale thru J. Kislak...
Engine.. N...
I believe that this is on 1st St, just west of Coles. The buildings to the left of the firehouse are now the Village Townhomes which wrap around 1st, then Monmouth, and around to Newark where 2nd and Newark intersect.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
Good guess!
ReplyDeleteBut are you thinking of this, or another building?
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=319+1st+Street,+Jersey+City&hl=en&ll=40.722185,-74.048452&spn=0.000828,0.001321&sll=40.722175,-74.048464&sspn=0.000417,0.00066&t=h&gl=us&hnear=319+1st+St,+Jersey+City,+New+Jersey+07302&z=20
The building in the google maps link above has three windows across the width, while the one in the old photo has four. So I think the quest must continue...
I think it is Engine Co No 6 on Henderson (Marin) between 12th and 13th as seen on this map.
ReplyDeletehttp://mapmaker.rutgers.edu/JCplat_book/plate12/index.htm
Can't find any proof of this, however.
That could very well be it.
ReplyDeleteBut I am also wondering if it's somewhere in the heights as the street in front of the buildings is sloping, and there is more of those in the heights.
Some solid indicators would be nice - e.g. a corroborating photo...
I tend to agree it's probably the old ENG-6. On the maps it show at least 2 frame buildings to the north, and a small frame building to the south (stable?). The Rheingold sign would have been placed in a place where many could see it after the stable was demolished. Henderson St. between the Holland Tunnel entrance & exit would be ideal with all the truck traffic. The map also shows a hydrant, normally right next to every firehouse for maintenance, filling & test duty. I don't see it in the photo, probably it was knocked down and never replaced. Also in the right part of the photo, a much taller building possibly one of the multi-story refrigerator warehouses that were around 12th St.(Merchants Refrig., National Cold Storage, Union Refrig.???)
ReplyDeleteEng. 6 moved in with Ladder 2 on 9th St., but I don't know when, they were there in the 60s. Both E-6 & L-2 are now at HQ on Marin Blvd.
I remember that area as truck parking, weed & garbage strewn lots & bums, at least back in the 60's.
By the way, ENG-3 was on Mercer St, just west of City Hall, and ENG-8 was on Ege Ave between MLK (Jackson Ave.) & Ocean Ave.
ReplyDeleteCan't tell from the photo, but with better resolution, maybe you could get a address # off 1 of the adjacent buildings, the address of the firehouse was 564 Henderson St. I do recognize the J.Kislak for sale sign on the frame building, they were all over back in those days.
My aunt does remember there were wood buildings to the left of #6. I'll ask more family about it.
ReplyDeletePlease do ask, any additional information or pictures would be helpful!
ReplyDeleteI AM WELL VERSED ON THE HISTORY OF THE JERSEY CITY FIRE DEPT;ITS PEOPLE, APPARATUS, BUILDINGS AND MAJOR FIRES....IT IS MY OPINION (FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH) THIS BUILDING IS NOT IN JERSEY CITY... EMAIL TO fbc163@juno.com IF YOU WISH TO DISCUSS THIS FURTHER
ReplyDeleteThanks - I will definitely email you!
ReplyDeleteHello, my aunt says "no" to this being #6. Waiting on my mother's cousin that did live until about 6 years old in the 1940's across the street from #6 for an answer.
ReplyDeleteI located another photo in the 1949 "Master Plan" , with #6 in the distance, and it does not look like the one in your photo.
Interesting! Would you be able to share the photo from the masterplan? would be curious to see! thanks
ReplyDeletebloggeradmin @ jerseycitythenandnow.com
What about the Gong Club off of Grove and Bay Street?
ReplyDeleteI lived on Bay Street most of my early life and it kind of looks like the gong club. I used to hang out there as my sister used to date the brother of one of the members!
Just guessing, J Kislak is was a Hoboken RE Agent, cobblestone road seems to be a hill, and the bill board, is a clue. I am thinking it is on one of the streets leading into hoboken.
ReplyDelete