Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski today announced that Baltimore County has acquired a 6-acre parcel along Edmondson Avenue for a new, state-of-the-art Catonsville Fire Station #4. Plans call for the existing station to be preserved as a Baltimore County Fire Museum.
The Catonsville Fire Department was originally located at 22 Bloomsbury Avenue, which transitioned from horse-drawn to motorized vehicles in 1915. Built by William Gerwig, the building served as the fire and police station, local jail, and meeting place for the Catonsville Supreme Bench until 1928.
The current Fire Station was built on the site of the Railroad Hotel on the northeast corner of Frederick Road and Egges Lane and located opposite the Catonsville Short Line Railroad Terminus. Originally owned by J. Egge, it subsequently sold to Charles Burke in 1898 and John C. Morseberger around 1907. This picture was taken when John C. Morseberger’s son, Louis, was the proprietor. Around 1922, the building was sold to Baltimore County and torn down to make way for Catonsville Fire Station 4.
The new station will replace the existing station built in 1928 and located at 756 Frederick Road. The existing, nearly century old station consists of only two bays and has limited space for equipment, offices, living quarters and parking.
“Our first responders risk their lives every day to protect our communities, and a modern, state-of-the-art fire station is not only well-deserved but will ensure that our firefighters have the resources and facilities to serve our residents as efficiently as possible. I thank our state and county partners for supporting this important capital investment, which will help keep Baltimore County and our region safe for years to come.”
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski.
Purchased with $1.5 million in State funds and $500,000 in County funds, the newly acquired site at 736 Edmondson Avenue will become home to a spacious, state-of-the-art fire station to serve the Catonsville community.
Once the new station is complete, the existing Catonsville Fire Station will be preserved as a Baltimore County Fire Museum. Preliminary plans call for the museum to showcase artifacts from BCoFD’s history, which dates to the late 19th century.
“The replacement of the Catonsville station – our oldest career fire station – has been a priority for some time. We need additional space in Catonsville for apparatus and our personnel. At the same time, we recognize the historic importance of the old station to the community and are excited about plans to convert it to a Fire Museum.”
Fire Chief Joanne Rund
The beloved Catonsville Santa House, located on the current Catonsville Fire Station site, will be maintained, ensuring continuance of this annual community tradition.
Design for the new station is underway and the County anticipates opportunities for initial community feedback on the project in December 2023.
Construction of the new station is currently expected to begin in December 2024.
More Information:
Erica Palmisano
443-63-3221
[email protected]
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