Fire Department History

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History Collage

Many years ago, the City of Lewisville was merely a stopping point along Highway 77 from Dallas to Denton and points north. As the area became popular and the population increased, so did its needs, including the need for fire protection. The following is a timeline that highlights the major historical events at the Lewisville Fire Department:

  • 1904: A fire started in the chimney of a local store's wood stove, in an area of Lewisville we now proudly call Old Town. Downtown merchants rushed to put out the fire. They used a hand drawn water wagon and buckets, but the fire spread rapidly and several downtown buildings were lost. Their efforts were valiant, mainly due in part to the fact that Lewisville has always been a community that helps those in need.
  • 1925: Lewisville became incorporated as a City in 1925.
  • 1927: Jack Lewis was appointed as the City’s first Fire Marshal. There was no formal staff and a hand-cranked siren called volunteers to help put out fires.
  • 1932: The City of Lewisville purchased their first fire engine. It was housed in what is now the Old Well House, which was built in 1927. This building stands today as it did back then and is often photographed for its historical features. This building served as City Hall, the jail, and Firehouse 1 for approximately 24 years before construction began next door.
  • 1946: Baxter Hasten was appointed as the City’s first Volunteer Fire Chief.
  • 1950: A new firehouse was built. Heading up the construction crew were Volunteer Fire Chief Frank Stockard, 25 volunteer firemen working at night or in the off-hours from their regular jobs, and the President of the Chamber of Commerce, F.C. Conner, who was also a contractor.
  • 1964: The first full-time paid Fire Chief, Isaac Bradbury, was hired and was soon followed by several paid firefighters working eight-hour shifts during the day. One of those early paid firefighters was Danny Cobb, who also served as a Captain with the Lewisville Police Department.
  • 1969: The Firehouse/City Hall constructed in 1950 was demolished and a new brick structure (Firehouse 2) was erected that housed not only the shift personnel but also the administrative offices of the Fire Department.
  • 1970s: Firefighters transitioned to 24-hour shifts because the Volunteer Firefighters' jobs began to take a toll on their availability. The Department began operating an ambulance service and the Central Fire Station was built. This allowed for staffing of firefighters on both sides of Interstate 35 E.
  • 1985: Station 3 opened to serve south Lewisville. This house originally operated with a paramedic fire engine equipped with a 55 ft. telescoping ladder to provide fire protection for the numerous multistory apartments being built in the area.
  • 1988: Station 4 opened to cover the northern portion of Lewisville.
  • 1998: Central Fire Station was remodeled; Station 2 (built in 1969) was moved to Main Street in Old Town Lewisville; and Station 5 was built to serve the Waters Ridge area in southeastern Lewisville.  All three stations currently operate a paramedic fire engine and a Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) ambulance.
  • 2000: Station 6 was opened to serve the eastern portion of Lewisville, which includes Castle Hills. This station now houses a ladder truck and a MICU ambulance.
  • 2009: Station 7 opened so the Battalion Chiefs and the ladder truck formerly at Station 3 were relocated to this more central location on Texas Street.
  • 2018: a new Station 3 was built to better serve the growth in the southwest part of the City.  The department runs a paramedic fire engine and a MICU ambulance out of the station.
  • 2019: Station 8 was constructed off of Josey Lane and runs a paramedic fire engine company.  This station partners with Station 6 to better serve the eastern growth and Castle Hills residents.

The Lewisville Fire Department continuously strives to provide the best service and protection possible to our citizens. The future holds more growth for the Lewisville Fire Department with an eye towards protecting the safety and welfare of the citizens and businesses in Lewisville. To the citizens of Lewisville and all of the past members of the Lewisville Fire Department, both volunteer and paid, thank you for providing us with a proud past and a bright future. 

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