Historic Fire Station Staircase Connects 1880s Fort Collins to New Laporte Facility
A cast-iron spiral staircase installed in Poudre Fire Authority's Station 7 in Laporte represents more than 145 years of Northern Colorado firefighting history, linking the region's first permanent fire station to modern emergency response operations.
The staircase originally served Fort Collins' first fire station, constructed in 1882 at 223 Walnut Street for $3,500. The two-story brick structure featured a prominent bell tower that sounded fire alarms throughout the community and housed both the volunteer fire department on the first floor and city offices on the second floor, according to Fort Collins historical records.
Station 7 opened in spring 2025 after six months of construction at 3016 West County Road 54G, replacing the original 1976 facility on North Overland Trail. The station serves Laporte, Bellvue and portions of unincorporated Larimer County.
Journey Through Local Ownership Preserved Artifact
When the fire department vacated 223 Walnut Street in 1971 to relocate to a new facility on Link Lane, the spiral staircase was removed during renovations and sold to a local steel shop. The shop's owner stored the staircase for more than 40 years before donating it back to Poudre Fire Authority in 2012.
The staircase required extensive restoration following decades of storage. Specialists removed old paint and corrosion, replaced missing fasteners with historically appropriate hardware, and reconstructed damaged treads before installation at the new Station 7.
"Regarding the sign, my idea came from thinking about how visitors might perceive an older item in a brand-new facility," said PFA Logistics and Cache Manager Matt DeAngelis, who conceived the installation project. "This plaque provides historical context that not only informs visitors but also preserves the history of the fire service in Fort Collins. It bridges the past and the present, helping people understand the importance of retaining these elements in a modern space."
DeAngelis credited senior facilities project managers and public information officers with contributing to the team effort that brought the staircase to its current location.
Original Station Launched Professional Fire Service
Fort Collins organized its first volunteer fire department in 1880 after a major commercial fire in February of that year prompted citizens to demand better fire protection. The original Hook and Ladder Company No. One quickly grew to approximately 30 members who relied on wells and water wagons, as the city lacked a municipal water system.
The 223 Walnut Street station, built two years later, served as the city's main firehouse for nearly nine decades. The building featured Italianate and Romanesque architectural elements typical of late 19th-century civic structures, with its bell tower serving as a recognizable community landmark.
The structure now houses Old Firehouse Books, an independent bookstore that preserved the building's exterior and prominent interior architectural features following the fire department's 1971 departure.
Authority Balances Modernization With Heritage
Poudre Fire Authority was established in 1981 through consolidation of the Fort Collins Fire Department and Poudre Valley Fire Protection District, creating unified fire protection and emergency services across much of Larimer County and portions of Weld County.
The authority currently operates 13 fire stations serving Fort Collins, Timnath, Laporte, Bellvue and adjacent areas. PFA received accredited status from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International in 2015.
The staircase installation reflects the authority's commitment to community heritage and public education while maintaining modern emergency response capabilities. The artifact serves both functional and interpretive purposes, connecting contemporary residents with the city's early civic development.
"History plays a vital role in everything we do," DeAngelis said. "We learn from it, grow from it, and honor it."