Engine House No. 11

Engine House No. 11 is significant because it is the oldest remaining fire house in the City of Detroit and as such symbolizes the dedication and public service of generations of firefighters and the history of fire protection as a recognized municipal service. Steam Fire Engine Co. No. 11 was organized on January 1, 1884. Its first equipment included a Silsby steam engine and a hose reel cart, both horse-drawn. A Seagrave gasoline-propelled pumping engine replaced the horse-drawn equipment in October, 1916. This station served the same fire company, Engine Company No. 11, from its construction until it was replaced by a new building in 1972. An Emergency Medical Unit occupied the building from 1972 to 1976. During that time four generations of the De Caussin family served Engine Company No. 11. The first De Caussin joined the Company in 1886 and the fourth generation representative, Robert De Caussin, was still a member of the company when it moved to new quarters in 1972. The building is now a museum for the Detroit Fire Department and houses several pieces of historic firefighting equipment.

Engine House No. 11 is a two and one-half story brick structure with a hipped roof. The main elevation consists of a center section delineated by ornamental brick pilasters flanked by two small bays. The ground level of the center section contains four large doors. The second floor has two large windows glazed four over four. The brickwork of the center section rises through the roofline to form a dormer for the attic story. A flagpole is affixed to the peak of the dormer roof. The hose-drying tower is centered on the east facade. Fenestration on this facade is irregular. The hose-drying tower was reduced in height during World War II when an air raid siren was installed. Some window openings on the rear (north-west) facade have been bricked up. The first floor interior walls are wainscoted and plastered. The ceilings are plastered with exposed wood beams. The apparatus room, kitchen, dining area and lounge are on the first floor. On the second floor are the sleeping quarters, showers and locker room. Two private sleeping rooms were provided for the Captain and the Lieutenant. To the rear of the dormitory, on a slightly lower level, is a recreation room that was originally the hay loft. The third floor is the attic floor.