Local community members partnered with a Minneapolis City Council member to submit a historic landmark nomination to the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission for Fire Station No. 24. Following city ordinances, the City of Minneapolis requested completion of a local historic landmark designation and received funding from a Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grant for the study.
Scope
Our study focused on the property’s association with the African American community, as it was the only fire station staffed by Black firefighters in the city’s
history, due to segregation within the fire department. We also explored the property’s association with significant individuals, including Black firefighters who achieved leadership roles in the department.
Outcome
106 Group recommended Fire Station No. 24 for local designation. City staff agreed with our recommendation. We also participated in two public meetings to provide updates to the community. After State Historic Preservation Office concurrence and Historic Preservation Commission adoption of recommendation was completed, the property officially became a local landmark in January 2022.
To learn more about this project, check out Kare11’s article: Firefighters ’emotional’ after touring largely forgotten all-Black Minneapolis fire station
Photo courtesy: Hennepin County Library Digital Collections
