St. Elizabeths Hospital, Engine House Fire House, 2700 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Southeast 636 Birch Street, Southeast, Washington, District of Columbia, DC

For an overview of the Shops and Support Structures, see HABS DC-349-CC
Significance: The Engine House/Fire House (Building 41) is significant for its association with the development of a campus-wide infrastructure to support the west campus of St. Elizabeths. Constructed in 1890, the Engine House/Fire House is an important part of the campus plan as it developed during the Godding-era expansion. As the campus expanded beyond the echelon plan of the Center Building group, a variety of campus support and service buildings were necessary, including the Engine House/Fire House. The building is representative of the intended self-sufficiency of the campus at that time.

The Engine House/Fire House is also significant for its architectural design. The relatively simple design includes decorative brick masonry detailing including projecting window hoods and a corbelled cornice. Although relatively small in total area, the building features a tall bell and clock tower, which makes the building relatively prominent on the campus. As originally built and as relocated in 1905, the building follows the campus axis and orientation established by the Center Building group.
Survey number: HABS DC-349-BH
Building/structure dates: 1883 Initial Construction
Building/structure dates: 1903 Subsequent Work
Building/structure dates: 1966 Subsequent Work
Building/structure dates: 1955 Subsequent Work
National Register of Historic Places NRIS Number: 79003101