Timeline: A Century of Service and Adaptation
Timeline of Fire Station No. 11
1980-1901: The Roots of Firefighting in Hintonburg
In the late 19th century, Hintonburg relied on volunteer brigades and rudimentary tools like bucket brigades to combat fires. The village's first organized firefighting effort began in January 1900 with a 40-member volunteer brigade split into day and night divisions. James yers, a local tavern owner, led the brigade and stored its sole hose reel in a small wellington shed. The brigade's equipment - rubber coats, lanterns, and a horse-drawn hose reel on runners - reflected the era's limitations. This early system faced challenges during the 1900 Hull-Ottawa fire, which underscored the need for better infrastructure. By 1901, Hintonburg constructed its first dedicated fire hall on Fairmont Avenue, a modest wooden structure that housed the brigade until its deterioration in the 1920s.1924: Construction of Station No. 11
Designed by Ottawa architects Millson, Burgess, and Hazelgrove, Fire Station No. 11 opened July 28, 1924, at 424 Parkdale Avenue. The red-brick building, featuring a four-storey hose drying tower and stone trim, embodied Modern Classical design while integrating cutting-edge firefighting technology. Its two large equipment bays accommodate both horse-drawn and motorized engines, and the second floor provided living quarters for the station captain and crew. Approved by City Council to protect Hintonburg's booming population, the station replaced the outdated Fairmont Avenue hall and symbolized Ottawa's transition to a professional fire department. Captain Stephen Starr, its first leader, oversaw operations during an era when fire horses like Bob were still critical to emergency responses.1928-1929: Retirement and Legacy of Bob, Ottawa's Last Fire Horse
In late 1928, Station No.11 became the final home of Bob, a jet black Percheron horse purchased by The Ottawa Fire Department in 1908. Bob, a champion of The Ottawa Horse Parade, had served four stations over 20 years, pulling heavy steam-powered engines through Ottawa's streets. His retirement coincided with the arrival of three motorized ladder trucks, which displaced the station's last horse team. While most horses were sold, Bob was controversially pensioned due to his legendary service. City Controller Tilley opposed the cost of his care, sparking a public debate about the value of service, animal or human. Bob died in September 1929, mourned in a front-page Ottawa Evening Journal article that marked the end of Ottawa's 55-year reliance on fire horses.1939-1985: Evolution and Decline
As Ottawa's firefighting modernized, Station No.11 remained active through mid-century challenges. The 1939 opening of the Churchill Avenue fire hall in Westboro expanded coverage, but by the 1980s, both stations faced criticism. Station No.11's location near Queensway ramps caused delayed responses, and its aging infrastructure struggled to meet modern demands. In November 1985, after 61 years of service, the station closed alongside Churchill Avenue's hall as part of a citywide consolidation plan. Its decommissioning ended an era of neighbourhood-centric firefighting, shifting focus to larger, strategically placed stations.1985-2005: Adaptive Reuse and Heritage Recognition
After closing in 1986, the building began its transformation into flexible office and commercial space. Early tenants include the Salvation Army Snowsuit Fun and Parkdale Food Centre, who utilized its sturdy brick structure for community services. A major renovation in 2004-2005 preserved historic elements like the hose tower and cast-iron lettering while adding modern amenities: polished concrete floors, a commercial kitchen, and office suites. In 1996, the City of Ottawa designated it a heritage property under By-law 16-96, recognizing its architectural and historical significance as one of three surviving pre-1930 fire station.2007: Heritage Restoration and Commercial Revival
On March 5, 2007, the Honourable John Baird, Canada's Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, inaugurated the revitalized Parkdale Fire Station at 424 Parkdale Avenue, marking a milestone in its adaptive reuse. The ceremony celebrated the completion of a $62,149 restoration project funded through Parks Canada's Commercial Heritage Properties Incentive Fund (CHPIF), the first initiative of its kind under the program. Owned by Fire Station 11 Ltd. (led by Alan Whitten), the building underwent transformative renovations: its historic ground-floor engine bays were converted into a massage therapy clinic and a culinary school, while the second-floor firefighters' quarters became offices and studio for creative enterprises. This project underscored the station's transition from a decommissioned firehall (closed in 1986) and subsequent roles as a food bank and artists' hub into a commercially viable heritage space. sinister Baird emphasized the federal government's commitment to preserving Ottawa's history, stating, "We are proud to protect this legacy for future generations." Designated a municipal heritage site in 1996, the 1923-built station symbolizes Ottawa's firefighting evolution and stands as a model of public-private collaboration in heritage conservation, aligning with the broader Historic Places Initiative to safeguard Canada's architectural legacy.2007- Present: A Community Landmark
Today, 424 Parkdale Avenue houses businesses like Urban Element and servers as an event venue, blending history with modernity. Managed by First Bay Properties, the building's adaptive reuse has become a model for sustainable urban development. Its ground floor hosts retail and event space, while the second - once the captain's quarters - offers offices for tech firms and creative agencies. The station's legacy is celebrated through heritage plaques and its enduring role as a neighbouring anchor, bridging Hintonburg's industrial past with its vibrant present.Click Here to go back to Home Page Click Here to go to the Next Content