Old Ponce Fire Station “Parque de Bombas”

Made primarily of wood, the Parque de Bombas is inspired by Victorian Moorish and Gothic architecture, and consists of a large open central space flanked by two side towers, two stories high.

The open space was used as a garage for the fire trucks and the two towers as housing and exhibition areas. An elegant two-sided central staircase with an elaborate cast iron railing leads to a mezzanine used as administrative offices.

Originally built in 1882 as a main display pavilion for the 1882 Fair of Exhibitions. In 1885, the building was dedicated as Ponce’s official fire station, a function that served for more than 100 years. In 1990, the fire station closed and became a museum. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 12, 1984.

Two staircases located on opposite sides adorn the entrance to the museum, where tourists can observe the technology used against the fires. Among the attractions on the first floor you’ll find vintage machinery used to fight fires, including its famous fire engine and several portable water tanks. On the second floor you will find artifacts used by firefighters and pictures of different colonels and firefighters.

It is an interesting attraction where you will appreciate the evolution of technology to fight fire. It is open from 9:30 a.m. at 6:00 p.m. from Wednesday to Monday and the entrance is free of cost.