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Harlem Fire Watchtower

United States of America
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Fire had been a constant threat to New York since late 1770s. With each “Great Fire” that swept through the city, pressure grew to develop a city-wide alarm system. First through the use of bell towers as early as 1790, these unmanned stations were eventually replaced by Fire Watchtowers and guarded by volunteer firemen. With the construction of the Mount Morris Park Fire Watchtower in 1857, eight towers had been built throughout the city’s designated fire districts. Armed first with a bell for local fires, the towers were soon fitted with an electric telegraph system, greatly increasing the efficiency of fire alarms. Using Morse code, the watchmen could communicate directly between towers sounding the bell according to their respective fire district. Communication between towers continued to improve with the advancement of technology. After the telegraph, telegraphic alarm boxes were installed directly connecting each tower to the newly-formed fire department. However, by 1878 as technology became more accessible and alarm boxes were required within every building, the need for watchtowers eventually discontinued. All but the Mount Morris Park Fire Watchtower (now known as the Harlem Fire Watchtower) were eventually razed. Today, this enduring tower has become a symbol of the Harlem community.

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