Supporters: The Galveston County Museum

Star State Fire Company No. 3 | First Integrated Fire Department in Galveston

The official formation and date of Star State Fire Company No. 3 is unknown due to records lost to a fire in 1869. However, it is known that the fire company was founded before the Civil War. Most likely in 1859. The fire company was founded as a volunteer department due to the need for additional fire protection in Galveston as the city experienced the population boom around the port's success. The original location of this fire company was 2512 Church Street. The volunteer Fire Department was absorbed into the paid fire department in 1885. The engine House on Church Street was destroyed in the 1900 storm, and this one completed construction in 1903. Star State Fire Company No. 3 became the first integrated fire department in the city of Galveston. In 1957 Lucius Pope, Leroy Small, and Genoice Walker joined Star State Fire Company No. 3. And became the first Black firefighters in the city of Galveston. However, the first few years after the men joined, they had segregated cooking and sleeping accommodations as well as a separate fireman's pole. In the 1960s, the station eventually adopted communal living areas, and by 1967 Star State Fire Company was closed by the city. The firefighters dispersed around to other departments, and this building became offices in storage. It is noted by the city of Galveston that Star State Fire Company No. 3 played a vital role in integration and opportunity for all Galveston citizens, a sentiment that extends far beyond Star State Fire Company No. 3.

Interested in information covered in this episode? Reference links below:
Galveston Historical Foundation
Historic Marker
Galveston Burning | James Anderson

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