26 Apr unusually designed asymmetrical cream city brick number 4 engine house (w.f. goodhue, 1888), located at 1339 lincoln street, racine, wisc.
April 26, 2026
in Bldg. 51, Events & Announcements, Featured Posts, Miscellaneous, Travel, Uncategorized
recent photographic survey of the unusually designed asymmetrical cream city brick number 4 engine house (w.f. goodhue, 1888), located at 1339 lincoln street, racine, wisc.
the most distinctive feature is the four-story hose-drying and observation tower with pyramdial-shaped roof, wood-bracketed cornice, oculus windows, and ornamental cast iron cresting.
additional information:
no. 4 engine house is a historic fire station located in the north-central area of racine, wisconsin, at the intersection of lincoln and barker streets. built in 1888, it showcases the high victorian italianate architectural style and was designed by w.f. goodhue. the cream brick structure mainly rises two stories, but features a prominent four-story hose-drying and observation tower.
history:
following a significant fire in racine in 1882, the city decided to discontinue its volunteer fire brigades and established several units of professional firefighters. plans for the new engine company no. 4 station, prepared by city engineer w.f. goodhue, were submitted in january 1888, with construction overseen that summer by hannibal lugg and peter beffel.
the fire department used the building until 1926, after which they moved to a bungalow-style facility at marquette and kewaunee streets. hurley-stuebe printing company later bought the property and, in 1933, gifted the firehouse bell to saint francis monastery in burlington, wisconsin. the printing company operated out of the building until 1950, after which greene glass company became its occupant. when the structure was added to the national register of historic places in 1979, its exterior remained largely unchanged, though interior alterations excluded it from the listing.
