New large mahogany doors and all-yellow brickwork on the façade of the Black Firehouse at 1310 E. Adams St. are the latest renovations expected to be completed by the end of August on this historic structure. The building, owned by the Central Lodge #3 Prince Hall Masons, was once Firehouse No. 5, known as the first Black Firehouse in Springfield. A large historical marker in the yard tells its history.
The Firehouse was built in 1901 as a much-needed addition to the area east of 10th Street to deal with fires. It was the only firehouse where Black firemen were allowed to serve. The historical marker reads: “It was the first firehouse to answer the alarm to extinguish the homes and businesses of Black citizens that were torched by angry white mobs during the 1908 Race Riot.”
Horses pulled fire wagons; there was a stable downstairs and a hay loft above. The men slept upstairs. The ceiling trap door that once had a brass pole for the firemen to slide down, and some of the walls, are original. Initially considered lesser than the white firehouses, Firehouse No. 5 wasn’t even listed in the department directory.
“We will be setting up an exhibit and have some items connected to the firehouse such as helmets, badges and boots that descendants of the firemen have donated. We have acquired artifacts such as logbooks from the 1920s and 1930s as well as pictures and books that help tell the history,” said Ken Page, a member of the Lodge who has headed up the project. “These men were the first to answer the call to houses and buildings burning in the 1908 race riot.”
The building, owned by the Central Lodge #3 Prince Hall Masons, was rededicated in 2011 and renovations to the historic structure have been ongoing. PHOTO BY CINDA KLICKNA
Page is quick to point out, though, that “this will not just be a museum about the firehouse. The main exhibit will focus on battling the fires of racism.”
In 1954 the firehouse operation moved to 1723 E. Clay St., but the building on Adams remained. In the 1970s, the city of Springfield wanted to tear it down to create more lots in Pioneer Park, the residential area around the building. Interest in saving the structure was intense; the Masons stepped in and purchased the site.
Central Lodge #3 Prince Hall Masons is the oldest and longest continuously operating African American fraternal organization in Springfield, established in 1867. Prince Hall was an abolitionist who came from England as a free man. He wanted to make sure Black children were educated.
There are two cornerstones on the side of the building. One is the original stone which reads: “Erected by Central Lodge No 2 A.F. & A. Masons Colored October 1903,” which was relocated in 1970. A.F.& A. stands for Ancient Free and Accepted. The other is a plaque added in 2011 rededicating the Lodge.
Work to restore the firehouse began in 2010-2011 with a grant of $200,000 acquired through legislation sponsored by then-Sen. Larry Bomke and then-state Rep. Raymond Poe. Since then, a new roof, new heating and air conditioning, plumbing, doors and windows have all been accomplished.
Michael von Behren Builder of Springfield is the general contractor. Owner Aaron Acree predicts that the “project will be 100% finished by the end of August but is dependent on the availability of products that are being custom-made. The whole façade is being completely restored. This has been a neat project to work on,” he said.
Bruce Ferry, who has been involved in saving and renovating numerous historic properties in the area, is the architect.
“To the best of our research, we are replicating the original look of the firehouse,” he said. “It has been great to work on such a worthwhile and good project; I’m excited and lucky to be a part of it.”
Funding has continued under state Sen. Doris Turner’s efforts for a $300,000 grant that is being used to restore the façade.
Over the years, Springfield’s streets have been paved over, but there will be brick pavers in front of the firehouse.
“During the 10th Street corridor construction and building of the (multimodal transportation) Hub, original pavers under the streets were dug out. They were going to be hauled away, and it seemed these would be perfect for the front of the firehouse,” Ferry said. “Many have been used for repairs on various streets such as Douglas; we are hoping to get some for the firehouse.”
For more about the various men who served at the Black Firehouse, visit the Sangamon County Historical Society’s online research site, Sangamonlink.com
Cinda Ackerman Klickna enjoys writing about local history and has previously written about the efforts to save the Black Firehouse.
This article appears in June 11-17, 2026.
