1939 Linden Fire Station
Linden’s Volunteer Fire Department was organized in 1935. The original 22 by 30 foot fire station was built in 1939 as a complement to Linden’s WPA-sponsored Sanitary Waterworks - one of the first two such New Deal projects approved in the state of Texas. The building was later altered and expanded to make room for additional vehicles, and remained in use as a fire station until 1961.
Years of neglect resulted in deterioration, loss of windows and a portion of the roof, and interior damage caused by water infiltration. In 2016, the fire station was determined National Register-eligible in tandem with the adjacent 1934 water tower (now decommissioned) and the city’s downtown Columbia Fire Hydrants (still in use).
UPDATE: Upon threat of demolition, Preservation Texas purchased the Linden Fire Station from the City of Linden in May of 2022 so that it can be rehabilitated. Since acquiring the building, Preservation Texas has engaged a preservation engineer, Steve Lucy of JQ engineering to assess the building so that plans can be made for the replacement of its roof and overall stabilization of the structure. This preliminary work has been made possible by a generous donation from Nassau Holding LLC, PT board member Sue Morris Lazara, and an anonymous donor.
Through its Endangered Properties Committee, Preservation Texas will oversee the preservation of this building and consider opportunities for future restoration projects.
LOCATION: 121 West Rush St, Linden (Cass County)
DESIGNATION: NRHP Eligible
OWNER: Preservation Texas
STATUS: In Progress
RESOURCE TYPE: Municipal
YEAR LISTED: 2016
