Cherrydale Volunteer Fire House
The Cherrydale Volunteer Fire House was the first such structure to be erected in Arlington County, and houses the county's first (officially organized) fire department. Although the fire department began as early as 1898, it wasn't until 1904 that it was officially established. The need for a permanent firehouse was recognized and in the 1910s community fund-raisers were dedicated to the cause. The building was built in 1919 and operational by 1921.
Since 1919, the Cherrydale Fire House has played an essential role in the local community, serving as a firehouse, movie theater, community center, and specialty store.
This was Arlington’s first firehouse and home to the county's first officially organized fire department — the Cherrydale Volunteer Fire Department. The Cherrydale Volunteer Fire Department was officially established in 1904 by 14 citizens. At that time, the fire department consisted of 10 leather buckets, a ladder, and many volunteers.
The need for a permanent firehouse became apparent in the late 1910s, and an active fund-raising campaign was launched. The firehouse was constructed one brick at a time. People could purchase bricks to help with the fund-raising efforts; in fact, President and Mrs. Wilson each purchased a brick.
Typically, firehouses constructed before World War II served the safety and security needs of the neighborhoods they protected and functioned as places for socializing and organized community activities. The second-floor hall of the Cherrydale Fire House served as the site of the county’s first movie theater. Still owned by the Cherrydale Volunteer Fire Department, the fire station continues to be a highly valued resource, providing first-response capability to the entire neighborhood.
The structure was built in the Colonial Revival style and features a hipped roof, gabled dormers, belt courses, and jack-arched lintels. It is a free-standing building located on a major thoroughfare, making it a prominent landmark.
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