This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
October 2013


Volume 60


Number 9


Crowell, Texas in 1905 ( Fire Hall Museum photo)


Crowell’s Fire House Museum Honors Area’s Past The folks in Foard County, Texas, remember the past and those memories are preserved in a building on North Main Street in Crowell – the Fire Hall Museum.


site for the project. It was thus named the Fire Hall Museum.


Allen shows an early postal display.


The two-story building is packed with exhibits, countless items, and


wonderful vintage photographs that tell the history of Crowell and early Foard County. The museum is operated by the Foard County Historical Commission. George Allen serves as the museum’s curator and artist-in-residence.


Allen explains that the building that houses the museum was built in 1922 as Crowell’s fire hall. For almost three decades the old building housed the city’s fire engines. Firemen’s quarters were on the second floor.


When a new city hall was built in 1950 the fire depart- ment was moved out


In 1976, the historical commission extended a call for Foard Countians to “bring your stuff” for the museum, and county residents responded. The old fire hall was quickly filled with all kinds of unique items that represent the area’s history.


Much of the first floor area that once housed fire engines is now occupied with detailed vignettes of early businesses, including a bank, barbershop, hotel, saloon, and blacksmith shop.


The museum also includes artifacts from numerous early businesses and buildings, including a sign and seats from Crowell’s old Rialto Theatre. Artifacts from Foard County post offices include the original 120-year-old mail slot panel from the front door of the home of Mrs. J.H. Self, 1893 Thalia post-mistress. Visitors to the museum will also see a 1904 Hynes Buggy that was featured in Crowell’s 45th birthday parade, held in 1936. A picture of the buggy in that parade accompanies the exhibit.


Museum vignettes depict a frontier town.


of the old building into new quarters. In 1975, when the area’s citizens set out to organize a museum, the old fire hall had been empty for years and was a perfect


One panel of clippings and photos


tells about polo matches and famous visitors to the James Minnick ranch south of Crowell during the 1930s. Minnick developed a passion for polo and raised


Fire Hall Museum, Crowell


thoroughbred polo ponies. One of his famous friends was Will Rogers who visited the ranch shortly before the humorist’s death in 1935.


The museum has an impressive collec- tion of early-day photographs. Many fasci- nating pictures throughout the building show faces and events from the past. Allen writes a weekly column in the Foard County News called “News from the Fire Hall Museum” that regularly features unique vintage photos and engaging stories.


The Fire House Museum is located at


116 North Main in Crowell. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. The museum is also open by appoint- ment by calling 940-684-1160 or 940-684- 1350.


Admission is free. Donations are accepted.


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