Lehi City Fire Department

The story of Lehi's first fire station takes us back to a time when protecting the town relied far more on hard work and community spirit than modern equipment. In January 1901, Lehi constructed its first dedicated fire station just east of City Hall on Main Street. Though small and unassuming, the little brick building represented a big step forward for a town that was rapidly growing and determined to protect its homes and businesses.

The station itself was only about the size of a small garage, but inside stood one of Lehi's most valuable pieces of equipment—an 800-pound hand-pumper fire engine. Before the days of motorized fire trucks, firefighters had to pull the heavy machine through town by hand, and later with horse teams, racing over dirt roads toward the smoke. It was demanding work that required strength, speed, and plenty of determination.

Firefighting in the early 1900s was a challenge. Lehi had no modern water system, so volunteers often drew water from irrigation ditches, wells, and even livestock troughs to battle flames. One of the station's earliest tests came when a storage building near City Hall caught fire. Night watchman John D. Woodhouse spotted the blaze before it could spread, and firefighters quickly rushed the new hand-pumper into action. Their efforts prevented what could have become a devastating fire in the heart of town.

As the years passed, the volunteer fire department became a source of pride for the community. Local merchants, farmers, and laborers answered the alarm whenever it sounded, leaving their daily work behind to protect their neighbors. A photograph taken in 1914 shows these volunteers standing proudly in front of the station, a reminder that this small building served as the city's primary defense against disaster.

To help fight fires, the city maintained large underground cisterns along Main Street that stored emergency water supplies. These reservoirs, combined with the hand-pumper and the dedication of Lehi's volunteers, formed the backbone of the town's fire protection system for many years. Eventually, advances such as fire hydrants, pressurized water lines, and motorized fire engines replaced the old methods, and the little station faded into history.

Today, the original fire station is gone, but its story remains an important part of Lehi's heritage. It stands as a reminder of an era when neighbors depended on one another, and when courage, grit, and community spirit were often the most valuable tools available for protecting the town they loved.

LehiCity.org

1925 Waterous Fire Equipment on White Ford Truck. This picture was taken in front of the state capital building in 1928.