Sounding The Alarm To Preserve Historic Fire Alarm Pedestals

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Two Toppled Alarms Cause Locals To Advocate

A Movement To Restore Cast Iron Alarms

By Michael Perlman | mperlman@queensledger.com

In late August and mid-September, Forest Hills residents were scratching their heads upon noticing the rare occurrence of two historic fire alarm pedestals toppled by vehicles in Forest Hills. It was only a few weeks apart causing suspicion, but on a positive note, residents and elected officials bonded and advocated for the resurrection and restoration of these circa 1929 – 1931 Beaux Arts meets Art Nouveau cast iron community anchors. They are not only increasingly rare works of public art, but essential while contacting the fire department or police in emergency scenarios. Simultaneously, the historic pedestals are symbolic of New York City’s bravest.

 Historic fire alarm toppled on Austin St & 71st Rd, Photo by Grace Sommero

On August 19, a historic fire alarm in front of Sephora on Austin Street and 71st Road was laying on the sidewalk, potentially due to being struck by a large vehicle. This columnist was contacted by a local resident, and immediately took action by joining forces with adjacent property owner Barry Rothenburg of Olympia Court Corporation and formulated a proposal to the FDNY, urging its restoration rather than a replacement by a banal rectangular non-cast iron model. Both longtime Forest Hills advocates corresponded with not only the FDNY, but Raimondo Graziano, Chief of Staff for State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, and in conjunction. Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi and his staff were also contacted, and both offices backed the preservation calls, reflective of advocacy by other local residents.

“The historic fire alarm pedestals are very beautiful and increasingly rare in NYC,” said Rothenburg. “When the one in front of Sephora was toppled over and broken, working with Michael Perlman and Senator Joseph Addabbo’s office proved very effective. Within 24 hours, the FDNY removed the destroyed fire alarm pedestal (after stating that it could not be repaired), and the one that they installed nearly 48 hours later was even more beautiful and very similar in age to the original one.” It included a torch on top, which is believed to have been removed from the prior model decades earlier. “When good people work together, great results can happen,” continued Rothenburg.

Austin St & 71st Rd historic alarm after restoration, Photo by Michael Perlman

The FDNY took the initiative to restore the late 1920s replacement pedestal, after locating it in their warehouse. They used classic fire alarm red oil paint, and accentuated it with white paint for the letters “FDNY,” painted the base black, in addition to the bottom of the torch, and topped off the flame with gold paint. The ornate scrollwork remained a classic red.

On September 15, the word on the street was “Not again!” This time around, another historic alarm was unusually toppled a few blocks away on Ascan Avenue and Burns Street in the iconic Forest Hills Gardens, a planned garden community that is safeguarded by restrictive covenants. That led to another preservation proposal to be submitted to the FDNY and elected officials.

Ascan Ave historic fire alarm toppled, Photo by Larry Becker

Both email proposals to the FDNY and elected officials from this columnist included a petition and resident-based comment drive, calling for their long-term preservation and official designation: https://www.change.org/p/save-historic-fdny-fire-alarms-on-nyc-streets-stop-their-removal-landmark-them-asap

“The shiny red historic fire alarm pedestals, where a number of have recently been repainted and restored, are treasures in our community. When I see one, it truly brings a smile to my face. I appreciate how in this time of modernization, Forest Hills is lucky to have pieces of history grace its streets,” said Forest Hills resident Donna Albano. She joined forces with her friend Larry Becker of Forest Hills on the day that the Ascan Avenue and Burns Street fire alarm was toppled over, and she contacted this columnist, and also spoke with the FDNY crew on site.

“Given my appreciation of the historic alarms, I was saddened on that September morning, when I was awakened by a loud bang. I quickly learned that the noise was the result of a car crashing into one of our historic alarms, causing it to topple. I immediately jumped to my feet, took a few photos, and attempted to capture the identity of the responsible party,” explained Albano.

In a statement, she has a request for the FDNY. “I hope that the Department will do what it can to restore and continue to preserve our older alarms, and refrain from removing pieces of our neighborhood’s rich history, so that the alarms can remain for many years to come. While modernization of our infrastructure is necessary, preservation of our history is of equal importance.”

Albano views it as a case of “Teamwork makes a dream work.” “Thankfully, because of the efforts of our community leaders, neighbors, and the FDNY, the fire alarm on the corner of Ascan Avenue and Burns Street was repaired, and is once again standing upright and tall.” This became a reality in approximately 24 hours, fortunately due to how the fire alarm was toppled onto a brick pavement. Its non-cast iron accessory door, which had holes, was replaced, and a nearly century-old fire alarm was resurrected rather than replaced with another historic model.

 Resurrected & restored Ascan Ave & Burns St alarm, Photo by Stuart Morrison

Both initiatives emphasized an ideal civic relationship between elected officials, the FDNY, and residents. “My office team and I thrive on following up on complaints and concerns from our constituents. There is great satisfaction when government works correctly; a resident raises an issue, the elected official listens and responds, a government agency is contacted, and the issue is resolved,” said State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr.

He continued, “That is why my office and I are pleased that the reported damaged, downed historic fire alarms were restored by the FDNY in Forest Hills. These historic, unique looking sidewalk fire alarms contribute greatly to the classic, vintage character of Forest Hills. My office team and I look forward to working with our dedicated community advocates and the FDNY in protecting and possibly expanding these special, historic fire alarms.”

Today, there are an estimated 15,077 fire alarm boxes citywide. A majority of the ornate V.F. models date to 1913, 1921, and 1931, whereas the 1950s non-descript O’Brien models have a prototype dating to 1947. The historic V.F. treasures exhibit Beaux Arts meets Art Nouveau vine-like lacework, topped by a torch, where details are sometimes enhanced in gold to accentuate their craftsmanship.

Fire alarm models since 1912

A couple of weeks ago, Elmhurst resident Melissa Lopez, formerly of Kew Gardens and Forest Hills, was walking along Austin Street and encountered the recently installed historic fire alarm. She explained, “The craftsmanship and novelty of the antique fire alarm posts stopped me in my tracks on a busy day. When I saw Michael next to it, I knew it was something special and unique. I was able to appreciate it even more upon hearing him talk about its history and the details behind its restoration. Little things like these fire alarm posts make Forest Hills enchanting and keep me coming back to shop, instead of other less preserved neighborhoods. Preservation is paramount in our modern times.”

In addition to the historic fire alarm pedestals, Lopez values destinations such as Station Square. “They have a regal look and make me feel like I’m a princess on castle grounds in Queens.” She embraces the continued need to educate and collaborate with elected officials, city agencies, and the community on the relics’ significance, and said, “This is necessary for continuing to make collective efforts to protect them.”

For over a decade, Woodside resident and volunteer John S. Colgan, nicknamed the “Fire Alarm Box Guy,” has been meticulously restoring historic cast-iron V.F. fire alarm box pedestals, but without any individually landmarked via the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission, some are being removed, including one of Colgan’s restored models in Woodside. In an age of rapid demolition, residents are worrying that another chapter of the city’s historic character is being diminished.

In November 2022, New Yorkers including John Colgan were devastated to learn that Box #7802, a 1921 V.F. pedestal on Northern Boulevard and 55th Street in Woodside, was removed and replaced with a plain rectangular 1950s style O’Brien model a few feet away. In an interview at that time, he said, “Ten years ago, my mother gave me some money and told me, ‘Go paint and clean the neighborhood.’ No one could have known that simple gesture would lead me a decade later to advocating for the preservation of the FDNY fire alarms.”

 67th Ave & Queens Blvd fire alarm circa 1940

Colgan obtained consent and began restoring antique models in 2012, with Queenswide locations including Long Island City, Sunnyside, Woodside, and Astoria. In 2021, this columnist helped Colgan survey Forest Hills’ historic pedestals and actively supported the restoration process. Locally, Colgan dedicated nearly a year towards restoring a circa 1929 model on 67th Avenue and Queens Boulevard, which was completed in August 2022. The graceful scrollwork was replicated in some sections where much oxidation occurred, and was then meticulously accentuated in gold. There was a long period of stripping paint and applying two coats of primer. Over the course of many evenings, it was a common sight for passersby to stop, observe, and converse. They gained an education on their history and the intricate nature behind restoration, as well as the accentuation of details that are rarely seen along today’s urban landscape, where personalized, intricate details are scarce in construction.

 Restored & accentuated fire alarm by John Colgan, 67th Ave & Queens Blvd, Photo by Michael Perlman

Other residents have obtained consent and followed his lead to restore historic V.F. fire alarms in Forest Hills and Rego Park since 2023, and even repaint a few banal O’Brien fire alarms. A few months ago, one that was also accentuated in gold leaf is a community treasure in front of Barclay Plaza North at 110-11 72nd Avenue in Forest Hills. The artist who volunteered is yet to be identified.

There may be over 40 historic pedestals remaining in Forest Hills, a large neighborhood with many main thoroughfares, and it is estimated that over half of that quantity was already removed and replaced with non-cast iron banal rectangular models. Now the preservation and restoration call increases for all remaining historic fire alarms to be preserved and restored. Residents are also advocating for the modern style alarms that are dented and graffiti-ridden to be replaced by a historic model, restoring the beauty and uniqueness of neighborhoods including Forest Hills, Rego Park, and Kew Gardens.

Historic alarm replaced by an eyesore modern alarm, 70th Rd & Austin St, Photo by Michael Perlman

In 2005, a historic pedestal was restored on Austin Street and 70th Road, where Oba is now located, but around 2012, it was replaced with a modern model that is now decaying. A historic model also stood in front of the Forest Hills Post Office, but all that remains today is a cement patch indicating its longtime spot. Along Union Turnpike at Markwood Place, a rare fire alarm featuring a column instead of a torch above it, was believed to have once featured a bulb. To the regret and bewilderment of residents, it was removed and replaced over a year ago with a banal alarm. Residents also find it unfortunate that two historic pedestals were removed and replaced with non-historic models around 2014 on Metropolitan Avenue, which contained five previously. Along Yellowstone Boulevard, only modern pedestals exist, and most are in mediocre to poor condition.

 Ascan Avenue & Queens Boulevard, Oct 3, 1930, Fire alarm with rare column now has a banal replacement, Courtesy of Fred Hadley

The NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission’s mission is to regulate NYC’s architecturally, historically, and culturally significant buildings and sites after granting Individual Landmark or Historic District status. In far fewer cases, publicly accessible building interiors are granted Interior Landmark status, and large historic views are designated as Scenic Landmarks. Besides facades, Individual landmarks can include street furniture, and some Bishop Crook lamp posts are individually landmarked, in addition to certain street clocks. Numerous New Yorkers are now wondering why there are no known individually landmarked fire alarm box pedestals, despite their history, craftsmanship, design, and increasing rarity, but there is an effort to make their preservation official.

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