On August 2, 2025, Portland Fire & Rescue is hosting an open house at Fire Station 15 to celebrate 100 years of service out of the same bungalow style fire station located at 1920 SW Spring Street. Station 15, which serves the SW Hills, has been located at the same address for the last 127 years. The open house will have interactive opportunities for both adults and children, with tours and historical information about the station provided by current and retired members of Portland Fire & Rescue.
Located on SW Spring Street between SW 19th and SW Vista Avenue, Station 15 was originally established in 1908. The original building was quite grand in nature, almost castle-like in appearance. It would remain until 1925, when it was replaced by a bungalow style station, one of the Lee Holden designed stations. These bungalow stations were designed to blend in with the neighborhoods they served, not resembling working fire stations from the exterior. Station 15 remains in service today, largely unchanged from its 1925 design.
Saturday August 2nd also marks the 172nd anniversary of Portland Fire & Rescue beginning service to Portlanders. It also marks the 153rd anniversary of "Black Saturday," a conflagration that destroyed 22 blocks of the city and prompted the purchase of the Messenger Bell the following year. After the bell became obsolete, it was stored at Station 15 for many years and has been (and will be again) a feature in the Portland Firefighter Memorial Triangle.
More information on the history of Station 15 and PF&R will be available on August 2nd during the open house. Come join us in this fun community event!
Source: Portland Fire & Rescue