Upper Nyack Firehouse
Also known as: Empire Hook & Ladder Company,No.1
Why it's listed
Completed in July 1887, this two-story brick firehouse at 330 North Broadway served the Empire Hook and Ladder Company Number One in Upper Nyack. It was designed by G.W. Knapp of New York City and paid for with money donated to the village by Mr. and Mrs. John W. Shuler, who lived across Castle Heights Avenue. The building fills its small lot and sits close to the street, giving it a city-like presence in a mostly residential village. Its east facade has bands of gauged brickwork, a corner bell tower with a small domed roof, and a center gable above the engine door with a tripartite window. The nomination describes it as a well-preserved, small-scale example of Queen Anne massing and decoration. Inside, a bell ringing system that strikes fire zone numbers in code is still in operation and is among the oldest of its type. The building has served as a firehouse continuously since 1887 and as village offices until 1978, and it recalls Upper Nyack's growth after the railroad arrived and the village incorporated in 1872.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents it as a conspicuous architectural landmark and a well-preserved small-scale Queen Anne style firehouse. Its row house type construction gives it an unusual urban look in a residential village. It also contains one of the oldest bell ringing systems of its type still in operation, and it reflects the village's late nineteenth century growth.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 82004781, listed September 23, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 330 N. Broadway, Upper Nyack |
|---|---|
| County | Rockland County |
| Listed | September 23, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82004781 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | G.W. Knapp |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and still in use as a fire station; it served as village offices until 1978. The interior has been altered, and the bell ringing system still operates. |
| Acreage | 9 |
| Within district | Van Houten's Landing Historic District |
| Coordinates | 41.10180, -73.91736 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 82004781.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7898832
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.