Tavern Carriage Shed
Replica Building
Built 1964
Originally Represented an Early Fire Hall
Now known as the Tavern Carriage Shed, this structure was originally built as a replica fire hall, which opened to the public in 1966. Although early sketches of Fanshawe Pioneer Village illustrate that a fire hall was always part of Wilfrid Jury’s vision for the site, most rural communities did not establish professional fire departments until the 20th century.
The fire hall building’s defining feature was its tower, which would have been used to drain and dry canvas fire hoses. In 2010, the hose tower was removed due to structural concerns.
Most taverns in Middlesex County would have had a carriage shed in close proximity to house patrons’ horses and buggies. Similar to this were livery stables, often located near hotels or boarding houses, where horses could be temporarily housed and horses, teams, or wagons could be hired. Stagecoaches also stopped at taverns, providing smaller communities with transportation to neighbouring towns and cities before they were connected by rail.
Emergency Services
London’s first fire hall was volunteer run and built in 1847— 2 years after the Great Fire of London which destroyed 150 buildings, about one-fifth of the town. It was used until 1880. Prior to it’s construction the fire equipment was housed wherever accommodation could be obtained.
At first the fire brigade was volunteer-run but in 1873, 17 paid firefighters were hired.
The County was responsible for the administration of justice, the maintenance of the courthouse and jail, as well as the maintenance of the constabulary (police).
In 1855, London established a regular police force.
Constable Peter Butler III became the first Black constable in the Middlesex County Police in 1883. He served the community as a member of the force until he joined the Ontario Provincial Police three years after it was founded in 1910. It is possible that the next Black Ontario Provincial Police Officer did not join until 1960— nearly five decades after Constable Butler.
London’s General Hospital opened in 1875. It was expanded in 1899 and renamed Victoria Hospital.
A new larger St. Joseph’s Hospital was built in 1892 to replace the smaller facility opened in 1888.
Building restoration supported by Beverly N. Baines Fund, a fund within the London Community Foundation.
Black and white image of the firehall during the early days of the Village.
Black and white image of the firehall from early days of the Village. The tall hose tower and two bells in front were favourite characteristics of the building.
London’s first fire bell is now part of the London and Middlesex Heritage Museum's permanent collection. The 700 pound bronze bell was ordered from Buffalo, New York, and arrived in London in 1848.
View from the top of the firehall tower before it was taken down. From here the Jury farmhouse and village orchards can be seen on a cold winter's day.