ALVARADO FIRE DEPARTMENT

Founded in 1905, the  Alvarado Volunteer Fire Department was created in 1906.   The Fire Station went through several building stages: engine bays were built in 1943, a front office followed in 1948 and sleeping quarters were completed in 1962.

Firefighters assigned to this station were an "all volunteer" company until 1964.  During that period, Fire Chief Elvin Rose lived approximately one block away from the station.  To contact the Fire Station, a citizen would call the number assigned to the firehouse, which would ring at the chief's house.  He would then push a button to activate the siren on the rooftop of the firehouse, summoning the volunteer firefighters.  However, citizens could use another method: a button located on the front of the firehouse could be pushed to activate the siren on the rooftop as well.

In 1964, Union City had enough firefighters to assure that the Alvarado Station was manned full-time by city staff, so the volunteer depatment was disbanded.  The firehouse was closed in 1984, and remained empty for several years until a Union City Police officer rented it from the City to use as his residence.  When the officer moved away from Union City, the building remained empty until the Union City Historical Museum occupied it in 2001.