Fire Hall #1 (Walterdale Theatre), Edmonton

Fire Hall #1 is a historic building with a rich history dating back to the early 20th century. Strathcona’s original fire hall, a wood frame structure, was built before 1906 but required replacement by 1909. The present building, completed in 1910, served the community continuously until a new fire hall was constructed across the street in 1954. Initially, the hall housed horse-drawn fire engines, necessitating the facility to function as both a stable and a garage, as well as a dormitory for the volunteer firemen who treated the hall as a second home during their service.

The architectural interest of Fire Hall #1 lies primarily in its facade and tower. The facade is outlined with stone quoins and a wide cornice, with fire engine bays marked by oversized voussoirs. This use of exaggerated classical elements is indicative of the Richardsonian Romanesque style, which was popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The facade was originally completed with a large pediment-shaped parapet bearing the fire hall's name. Standing at 77 feet high, the tower, capped with a cupola, was a notable landmark in early Strathcona. It housed the alarm bell and drying racks for the fire hoses, making it one of the tallest structures in the town at the time.

Originally designated Fire Hall #1, the building was renamed Fire Hall #6 in 1912 following Strathcona's amalgamation with Edmonton. It remains the only surviving fire hall from this era in Edmonton and one of the few left in Alberta. The building's significance extends beyond its firefighting history; in 1974, it was transformed into the Walterdale Playhouse Theatre, continuing its legacy as a community cornerstone in a new capacity.