After more than a year of construction, Lockhart’s historic Fire Station No. 1 is preparing to welcome firefighters back to 201 W. Market St. The 112-year-old building, a longtime downtown landmark that opened in 1914, is scheduled to celebrate its reopening at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6.
The building has served multiple civic roles over the years, including city hall and a home for departments like police operations and municipal court. Through all of those changes, the fire station remained. This latest renovation focused on bringing the facility up to current needs while protecting the building’s character.
According to the Lockhart Post Register, the work included upgrades to electrical and plumbing systems, heating and air conditioning improvements, modern fire alarms and sprinklers, and a diesel exhaust removal system. The second-floor living quarters were also renovated to make day-to-day operations more functional for crews working long shifts.
For mason contractors and restoration teams, the project is a familiar reminder that century-old buildings rarely come with simple scopes. Along with the system upgrades, crews addressed asbestos abatement, masonry repairs, roofing improvements, window restoration, and exterior woodwork. Those kinds of discoveries can push schedules and budgets, especially when the goal is to add modern performance without stripping away historic details.
The renovation was initially estimated at about $1.5 million, although a final construction cost was not confirmed. Studio Steinbomer handled architectural work, and D. Wilson Construction served as the contractor.
Lockhart firefighters moved out of the downtown station June 12, 2025, and continued responding from other facilities and temporary setups during construction. As the city grows, the reopened station keeps emergency services in the downtown core while extending the life of a key historic structure.
Read the full, original article from Lockhart Post Register here.