Firefighters Unearth 118-Year-Old Time Capsule From Fire Station Demolition—Here’s What Was Inside

Courtesy of City of Marion Ohio Fire Department

A team of Ohio firefighters have uncovered a fascinating 118-year-old time capsule, buried inside the brick wall of an old fire station due to be demolished.

On May 24, the Marion Ohio Fire Department intervened in the demolition of its old Station One building to remove the sandstone cornerstone for preservation, with permission from the building’s private owner, Ted Graham. Using hammers and chisels, a small group of off-duty firefighters got started but stopped before an engineer arrived to supervise when they made an unexpected discovery: a small copper box concealed behind bricks in the wall.

Firefighters work to remove and preserve the sandstone cornerstone of the old Marion Ohio Fire Department Station One building on May 24. Courtesy of City of Marion Ohio Fire Department

Firefighters stumble on a time capsule during their preservation efforts of the old Marion Ohio Fire Department Station One building. Courtesy of City of Marion Ohio Fire Department

Firefighter Niles and Captain Redmon of Marion Ohio Fire Department carefully removed the box. “The first time it has seen light since 1905, 118 years!” the department posted on Facebook, explaining that the 8 x 4 x 4-inch copper box was soldered shut to protect its contents from the elements.

“There are definitely items inside, some can be heard rolling around and the box has some weight to it,” they wrote, teasing, “So when are we going to open it?”

The department sought guidance from the Ohio Historical Society on how to open the time capsule while preserving “as much historical value as possible,” and planned to reveal its contents in a public opening at Marion’s Central Station on May 31.

Firefighters display a time capsule discovered while preserving the cornerstone of old Station One of the Marion Ohio Fire Department. Courtesy of City of Marion Ohio Fire Department

Using tin snips to penetrate the copper container, the department revealed its well-preserved contents to an enraptured audience and was thrilled with what they found. The items heard “rolling around” were nine turn-of-the-century Marion Ohio Fire Department badges; the rest included an incredible set of historic paperwork pertaining to the fire station and its employees.

Among the box’s contents were the original lease for Station One to the city; an invitation to the Northwestern Ohio Volunteer Fireman’s Association Fireman’s Games in 1878; an agenda from the Second Annual Marion Fire Department Ball, dated April 24, 1905; and four Marion Daily Star newspapers from July of the same year.

The box also contained a roster of 1905 city officials and two rosters for members of the fire station’s Hose Company One and Hose Company Two; a copy of the 1905 Merit Systems Rules for the hiring and promotion of firefighters; and a letter from former Chief McFarland dated July 20, 1905, the day the cornerstone was set, including the names of all firefighters employed at Marion fire stations and the Huber Manufacturing Company Fire Department at the time. All this they laid out for display before a captivated audience.

The firefighters display the contents of the time capsule during its opening. Courtesy of City of Marion Ohio Fire Department

The time capsule contained old fire department badges. Courtesy of City of Marion Ohio Fire Department

“What an amazing find!” the department posted, explaining that the items will be kept by the Marion County Historical Society while the new Station One building is constructed. They will eventually gain pride of place at the new station in a dedicated display case.

Excited netizens suggested that Marion Fire Department could pay it forward, with one person commenting, “So cool! Hope the fire department incorporates a time capsule in their new building!” The department confirmed in a reply that they plan to do exactly that, for the enjoyment of future generations.

An old photo of members of the fire department from over a century ago. Courtesy of City of Marion Ohio Fire Department

Old fire department documents were contained in the time capsule. Courtesy of City of Marion Ohio Fire Department

An old fire department equipment manual and roster were contained in the time capsule. Courtesy of City of Marion Ohio Fire Department

Old fire department contracts with both the city and a manufacturer were contained in the time capsule. Courtesy of City of Marion Ohio Fire Department

An old certificate from the early days of the fire department. Courtesy of City of Marion Ohio Fire Department

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