1213 Blanding Street
Villa Tronco
Built circa 1869
Palmetto Steam Fire Engine Company
1869-1903
Columbia Fire Department, Engine No. 2
1903-1921
Southern Bell Telephone Company
1921-1937
Villa Tronco
1940-present
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Palmetto Fire Company, circa 1907. Image courtesy of Richland Library
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Palmetto Steam Fire Engine Company, circa 1890s. Image courtesy Columbia Fire Department Museum
This Romanesque style building was built circa 1869 to house one of Columbia's volunteer firefighting associations, the Palmetto Steam Fire Engine Company, which was first organized in 1858 under Chief William B. Stanley. By 1875 the city had five such fire companies, two of which were comprised of and led by Black volunteers. Often numbering more than forty men, the fire companies conducted elaborate drills and frequent parades. Local political leaders like Stanley normally served as company presidents, although Stanley also served as the chief of the entire fire department during Reconstruction. Black and white companies conducted joint tests of local preparedness, and Black and white officers served together on the Board of Fire Masters.
In 1903, the Palmetto merged with three other fire companies to form the capital city’s first paid fire department. The company continued to operate at this site as "Engine No. 2" until 1921, when it relocated to 916 Main Street. From 1921 until 1937, the Southern Bell Telephone Company leased the building. Since 1940, it has been home to Villa Tronco Restaurant.