San Antonio Fire Museum

The San Antonio Fire Museum is located at 801 E Houston St, San Antonio, TX 78205. It was built in 1938 by the Works Progress Administration to house the city's fire departments. The museum is a restored, three-story structure that was once used to house personnel records and three firefighting units. The museum houses exhibit pertaining to the history of the city's fire department as well as a memorial honoring the 28 firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty since 1896.

The San Antonio Fire Museum is run entirely by volunteers. Many of the volunteers are retired firefighters or paramedics. The museum has several fire trucks, antique gear, and other artifacts on display. In addition, there are audiovisual displays about the history of firefighting in San Antonio. The museum also has a vintage fire truck that is used for special events.

The museum is a wonderful place to visit with the whole family. The admission fee is just three bucks for adults. The tour guide was friendly and knowledgeable about the history of San Antonio and its fire department. He gave us a tour of some of the old fire trucks and told us the history of the department. You can learn more here.

The museum also features the Ahrens fire pumper, which was manufactured by the American Fire Engine Company of Ohio. This fire engine could pump 700 gallons of water per minute and had room for six men. The Ahrens was retired from service in 1910 when San Antonio began motorizing its fire engines. It was donated to the Witte Museum in 1939 by the San Antonio Fire Department. The Witte Museum then loaned it to the Houston Fire Museum. On August 14, 2018, the Ahrens was delivered to the San Antonio Fire Museum.

The museum is free for walk-ins on Sundays and Fridays. However, donations are highly appreciated and encouraged as they help to run the museum. The museum has over 50 core volunteers and more than 400 members. A membership to the San Antonio Fire Museum costs $60 per year. Its goal is to remain affordable for everyone to visit.

The McNay Art Museum opened its doors in 1954 and is just 5 miles from downtown San Antonio. It is home to nearly 20,000 works by famous artists including Vincent Van Gogh, Edward Hopper, Georgia O'Keefe, and Pablo Picasso. The San Antonio Fire Museum is located in the old Central Fire Headquarters and features antique fire apparatus and firefighter gear.

Another museum that is worth visiting is the Witte Museum, which was named a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate in 2014. The Witte Museum focuses on the history, culture, and natural science. It also features a children's exhibit, a traveling exhibit, and a collection of early Texas art. Here's another fabulous site.

Driving Directions From San Antonio Fire Museum to The Alamo