Boulder Creek Fire | Local History
In March 1982, the Boulder Creek Fire Department took delivery of a “new rescue truck.” Pictured above, l to r: Bud Tomlin, Jack Kunz, and Jay Baker. (Santa Cruz Public Library Special Collections)
The Boulder Creek Volunteer Fire Department, established in 1892, emerged in response to two devastating fires in 1891 that nearly destroyed downtown Boulder Creek and the nearby village of Lorenzo. With no prior organized fire suppression in the logging town, these disasters prompted community action. Within days, local businessmen and laborers formed a volunteer fire department, and by spring 1892, twenty volunteers began training as a cohesive unit. Initially, the department operated from a fire hall at the intersection of Forest Street and Central Avenue, which later burned down but was rebuilt, now marked as the “1891 – Old Fireman’s Hall.” Over time, the department utilized six firehouses, evolving from housing hose carts to accommodating motorized fire apparatus.
In 1915, financial strain from operating in an unincorporated town challenged the department, but it persisted. On August 17, 1923, the Boulder Creek Fire Protection District was formally established, consolidating with the Brookdale Fire Protection District, the first fire district in Santa Cruz County. This merger expanded the district’s boundaries, covering 21 square miles of mountainous terrain and serving approximately 7,057 residents. A three-person Board of Directors, later expanded to five with staggered four-year terms, was appointed to oversee operations. Art Waters became the first fire chief, and the district purchased a 1924 Ford Model T, modernizing its firefighting capabilities alongside another Model T from Brookdale.
In 1939, a state-of-the-art fire station was built at the main intersection of Boulder Creek, featuring three engine bays, a kitchen, and a meeting hall. Over the next six decades, the station expanded with additional bays, living quarters, a training room, and an outdoor area. The volunteer organization, now over 130 years old, has surpassed 300 members, including notable figures like George “Hoot” Cress and the Hartman and Locatelli families. Only five fire chiefs have served since 1923, reflecting the position’s prestige.
Today, the district operates with 40 dedicated volunteers, responding to over 1,300 emergency calls annually, including vehicle accidents, medical aids, and wildfires. Funded by property taxes and community fundraising events like pancake breakfasts and Christmas tree sales, the department maintains a high level of service comparable to paid fire departments, despite its volunteer status.
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