History

In 1868, soldiers stationed in Salt Lake City traversed the mountain from Big Cottonwood Canyon to what would become Park City, Utah. Upon exploring and digging around in the area, these soldiers found something of substantial value—silver. By 1870 the Transcontinental Railroad was bringing miners in droves to find wealth and fame in the rolling hills just East of Salt Lake City. It was around this time that the first, unofficial fire department was established in this young, blossoming mining town.

By 1884 Park City was incorporated and within a few years, boasting a population of more than 5,000. It was also in 1884, that the Park City Fire Department was officially organized by the newly formed city council.

The community continued to flourish until the mid-nineteen hundreds when it was nearly deserted due to the claims drying up. However, when the ski resorts came to Park City, the town began to grown again, adding a more official Park City Fire Protection District in 1970 to assuage the concerns of the new population. Finally, in 2002, the olympics put our city on the map permanently, and it and the district have only flourished since.

Through it all the PCFD has served the community with dedication and focus. From humble beginnings and tipsy volunteers to a committed team of highly trained professionals, the PCFD, like Park City itself has come a long way. Today we proudly serve a bustling and modern mountain town, steeped in tradition and history.

A group of firefighters battling a building fire, with smoke billowing and a fire truck nearby.
possibly February 1978, fire at 440 Main Street and/or 438 Main Street (Caboose/Car 19), onlookers watch as firemen work
Historic image of firefighters posing by a decorated fire truck in front of a fire station, with flags and festive decor.
ca.1922-1924, firemen stand with truck decorated for parade, William Berry at the wheel, William A. Gidley standing on the fender. Photo courtesy of the Utah State Historical Society.
A black and white scene of a fire rescue operation, with firefighters at work and emergency vehicles on a highway.
date unknown but possibly 1980s, firefighters hosing down trucks
A crowd watches a fire being extinguished by firefighters in a snowy town setting. Buildings are visible in the background.
possibly February 1978, fire at 440 Main Street and/or 438 Main Street (Caboose/Car 19), onlookers watch as firemen work
A historical group photo featuring men in uniforms, likely firefighters, with medals and badges, arranged in a formal setting.
date unknown, Park City Volunteer Fire Department; inset is Edward Berry, who organized the fire department in 1881, he served as first fire chief from 1881 to about 1900.
A vintage fire truck is parading, decorated with flags and balloons, while people watch from the street in a historical setting.
ca.1920s, William Berry driving Park City’s first fire truck down Main Street during a parade (probably 4th of July or Labor Day)
A vintage black-and-white photo of a truck carrying a group of children, some sitting on the truck bed.
ca.1956, kids riding fire truck on Labor Day, 1956, William Berry driving, his grandson Ted Larremore is one of the kids
A vintage fire truck drives past houses with firefighters and spectators, depicting a historical scene.
date unknown, William Berry driving fire truck decorated with American flags (probably 4th of July or Labor Day)
A vintage fire truck with children sitting on it drives through a street, while onlookers watch from the sidewalk.
ca.1950s, kids riding fire truck in either 4th of July or Labor Day parade
An old fire truck covered in snow, decorated with flowers, parked in front of a house during winter.
1932 – Judge James Don’s Funeral Fire truck and flower-covered coffin of Judge James Don in back, parked in front of house. Blurred figures walk from house down steps. Taken in December, snow covers street. (firetruck that is Tooele Fireman Museum. Probably bought in 1926). James
The image features a vintage red fire truck with chrome details, displaying an American flag and a classic design.
ca. September 1991, fire truck in the Labor Day (Miner’s Day) parade.
The image is a black-and-white portrait of a man in a formal uniform, likely from the early 20th century, possibly a firefighter or police officer.
ca.1926, William J. Berry fire chief from 1921-1948, 1958-1960.
Historic photo of the Park City Fire Department in front of City Hall, featuring vintage fire trucks from 1885.
ca. 1930s, Two fire trucks and three men in front of Fire Department and City Hall building on Main Street. William Berry at left.
A vintage photo of firefighters in a decorated fire truck with American flags, set in a historical street scene.
ca.1940s, Firemen get ready for parade (probably either 4th of July or Labor Day), with flags decorating their truck. On the 500-block of Main Street by Star Meat and Groceries. Man at left is Clarence Hays.
A historic scene depicting firefighters and a steam fire engine amidst the ruins of a burned area.
1989 – Firefighters at fire of 1989. Firetruck (wagon) has hose in ditch also has large tank for water. Can see remains of burnt buildings up and down street. Grand Old Opera House! “Rear of Grand Old Opera House, 1898, Park City Utah”
The image shows a vintage steam engine, with men in uniform inspecting it, flags in the background, and a no-parking sign visible.
ca.1980s, men by an old fashioned water tank used to fight fires
A historical photo of the Park City Volunteer Fire Department, featuring uniformed members posing together.
ca.1926, Park City Volunteer Fire Department pose in front of City Hall. Left to right, back row – William Nimmo; Angus Mitchell; Jerome Paxton, treasurer; Charles Wright Front row – William Prudence; William Murphy; George Rosevear, treasurer; G. S. Ridge, secretary; Pat Sulliva
A vintage fire truck parked outside a brick building, with a man in a suit and hat posing next to it, showcasing historical firefighting.
1930c Exterior of 528 Main Street with open garage doors, fire truck parked in front with William Berry, fire chief standing, foot on running board. One man in doorway of building. Frame bell tower at right. Brick building housed fire station, police station, city offices.
A historical photo depicting six uniformed men in front of a vintage fire truck, with a police department sign in the background.
ca.1958, Two groups of 3 firemen stand facing camera in front of fire truck parked halfway out of City Hall (painted white). Sign on truck reads “Park City Fire Dept.”, sign on bldg. “Police Dept.” These men had served 50 years w/ Utah State Fireman’s Association. Truck is a 1945
A group of firefighters battling a building fire, with smoke billowing and a fire truck nearby.
Historic image of firefighters posing by a decorated fire truck in front of a fire station, with flags and festive decor.
A black and white scene of a fire rescue operation, with firefighters at work and emergency vehicles on a highway.
A crowd watches a fire being extinguished by firefighters in a snowy town setting. Buildings are visible in the background.
A historical group photo featuring men in uniforms, likely firefighters, with medals and badges, arranged in a formal setting.
A vintage fire truck is parading, decorated with flags and balloons, while people watch from the street in a historical setting.
A vintage black-and-white photo of a truck carrying a group of children, some sitting on the truck bed.
A vintage fire truck drives past houses with firefighters and spectators, depicting a historical scene.
A vintage fire truck with children sitting on it drives through a street, while onlookers watch from the sidewalk.
An old fire truck covered in snow, decorated with flowers, parked in front of a house during winter.
The image features a vintage red fire truck with chrome details, displaying an American flag and a classic design.
The image is a black-and-white portrait of a man in a formal uniform, likely from the early 20th century, possibly a firefighter or police officer.
Historic photo of the Park City Fire Department in front of City Hall, featuring vintage fire trucks from 1885.
A vintage photo of firefighters in a decorated fire truck with American flags, set in a historical street scene.
A historic scene depicting firefighters and a steam fire engine amidst the ruins of a burned area.
The image shows a vintage steam engine, with men in uniform inspecting it, flags in the background, and a no-parking sign visible.
A historical photo of the Park City Volunteer Fire Department, featuring uniformed members posing together.
A vintage fire truck parked outside a brick building, with a man in a suit and hat posing next to it, showcasing historical firefighting.
A historical photo depicting six uniformed men in front of a vintage fire truck, with a police department sign in the background.