A century of service for the Black Mountain Firehouse

Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center opens exhibit dedicated to historic building

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
July 9, 2021

As the citizens of the Town of Black Mountain slept on the night of Nov. 12, 1912, a devastating fire was spreading throughout downtown. By noon the next day, while local leaders surveyed the damage done to the municipality, established only 19 years prior, there was a consensus among the community: such devastation could never happen again.

The Black Mountain Fire Department was established within seven years, and moved into its first station on what is now West State Street in 1921. Today the brick structure — designed by lead Biltmore House architect Richard Sharp Smith — is home to the Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center, which held a July 9 opening for an exhibit recognizing the building’s century of service to the community.

The museum moved into the building in 1989, five years after the BMFD left for its current location on Montreat Road. The structure, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was restored through SVM fundraising efforts in 2016.

The 100 Years of the Black Mountain Firehouse exhibit focuses on the origins of the building and details the 63 years it was occupied by BMFD. The banner displays contain information gleaned from the original minutes and ledgers kept by the organization. Most of the artifacts, which include a reel cart used by the department in the early 20th century and a collection of badges worn by past chiefs, were loaned to the museum from the department, according to SVM Executive Director LeAnne Johnson.

Firefighters in Black Mountain were all volunteers until 1962, when the town hired two full-time personnel. The department, which now serves the town and surrounding fire districts, was established under R.E. Currie. The building was originally named Currier Hall in honor of the first chief.

The exhibit will be displayed, Thursday day through Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., on the first floor of the museum through the end of the year.

Museum volunteers hosted the opening, which was attended by BMFD Chief Scottie Harris and firefighters from the department. SVM will host a lecture on the department’s history in the building in the education room of the Black Mountain Public Library

The 100 Years of the Black Mountain Firehouse exhibit, hosted by the Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center, examines the history of the original home of the Black Mountain Fire Department.

Black Mountain Fire Department Chief Scottie Harris studies a display in the Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center’s 100 Years of the Black Mountain Firehouse exhibit in a July 9 opening.

The 100 Years of the Black Mountain Firehouse exhibit, hosted by the Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center, examines the history of the original home of the Black Mountain Fire Department.

The 100 Years of the Black Mountain Firehouse exhibit, hosted by the Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center, examines the history of the original home of the Black Mountain Fire Department.

The 100 Years of the Black Mountain Firehouse exhibit, hosted by the Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center, examines the history of the original home of the Black Mountain Fire Department.

The 100 Years of the Black Mountain Firehouse exhibit, hosted by the Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center, examines the history of the original home of the Black Mountain Fire Department.

Bill Alexander, a longtime member of the SVM Board of Directors, serves refreshments in the July 9 opening of the 100 Years of the Black Mountain Firehouse exhibit.

The 100 Years of the Black Mountain Firehouse exhibit, hosted by the Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center, examines the history of the original home of the Black Mountain Fire Department.

The 100 Years of the Black Mountain Firehouse exhibit, hosted by the Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center, examines the history of the original home of the Black Mountain Fire Department.

The 100 Years of the Black Mountain Firehouse exhibit, hosted by the Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center, examines the history of the original home of the Black Mountain Fire Department.

Firefighters from the Black Mountain Fire Department and chief Scottie Harris (second from the right) attend the opening of the Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center exhibit, 100 Years of the Black Mountain Fire Department, July 9.

Badges worn by past chiefs of the Black Mountain Fire Department are among the items displayed in the 100 Years of the Black Mountain Firehouse exhibit, which opened, July 9, at the Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center.