Constructed 1909
Built in 1882, burned and rebuilt in 1909, the E. Romero Hose & Fire Building is the home of the first volunteer fire department in New Mexico. The original wood frame fire house was replaced by the brick building in 1909. The 1913 Sanborn map notes for the building “2 horses owned by members, 25 volunteers, 1 paid man, 1500 feet of cotton fire hose, 130 feet of ladders, and 2 extinguishers.” The two-story brick building is in a World’s Fair Classic style. The front of the building has a large folding door to access fire trucks. The building has a pressed metal cornice in a dentil pattern. The building was built to serve the local volunteer fire department which was founded in 1882. The building is a contributing building in the Bridge Street Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. Design by E.W. Hart. Built by M. M. Sundt. Named for Las Vegas first mayor, merchant, and benefactor, Don Eugenio Romero. The Fire Company was formed in 1882 and continued in service as a volunteer organization until 2003. Throughout that period, the Company had only six Fire Chiefs.
MainStreet de Las Vegas celebrated the completion of Phase 2 of the E. Romero Hose & Fire Building. A multi-year, multi-phase project the MainStreet de Las Vegas gave the building exterior a face-lift in 2009. The City of Las Vegas received the deed to building and replaced the roof, saving the building from collapse, in 2010-2011. In 2012, MainStreet de Las Vegas received a Community Preservation Award from the State Historic Preservation Division. In 2013, MainStreet de Las Vegas in partnership with City of Las Vegas received funding for the renovation of the first floor. The project included removal of rotted ceiling, adding heat, updating electric, plumbing and a public restroom, with the goal for the first floor to house the city’s 1937 Seagrave Fire Truck and memorabilia as a fire truck museum.
155 Bridge St. Las Vegas, NM 87701 505-454-1401
photo by Elmo Baca
