Thomson Fire Hall
Thomson Fire Hall was constructed in 1914 and functioned as the city’s fire station, jail and city hall until the 1950s. Watson & Knox, longtime owners of the significant downtown building, utilized state and federal tax incentives to rehabilitate the building and convert its use to four loft apartments. This project’s completion included preserving the pressed tin and beadboard ceilings, the original wood staircase, floors, doors and exterior brick. The original fire hall garage doors and windows were replicated based on historic images. The project’s significance extends beyond Thomson, earning recognition in the National Park Service’s Preservation Brief for innovative use of alternate materials. This endeavor not only marks Thomson’s first tax credit project but also brings the city’s loft-style living to the downtown area, serving as a catalyst for further historic development.
Excellence in Rehabilitation Awards recognize projects that make compatible use of a building through repair, alterations or additions while preserving features of the property that convey its historic value.
