Colorado’s last silver boom town Creede incorporated in 1890 and burned down two years later. It burned again after twenty years, and for a third time in the 1930s. So citizens were well aware of the importance of fire preparedness and protection, and hatched the idea to put the fire department underground.
The community pitched in. Mine owners provided blasting materials, equipment came from the county, and local volunteers went to work on Mineral County Station 1.
The country’s only underground fire station has served Creede well. It will not burn, and it has other advantages. Maintenance is minimal. And because temperature is stable year round, air conditioning is not needed. You can visit the Creede VFD on some days to see what community spirit built, and continues to operate.
About Colorado Postcards
Colorado Postcards are snapshots of our colorful state in sound. They give brief insights into our people and places, our flora and fauna, and our past and present, from every corner of Colorado.
