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DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — Many heroes can be found in Central Illinois communities, and for 65 years, there was an entire group of them saving lives in Danville. In 1898, several men got together to form the city’s first Black fire station.
The building on North Walnut in Danville is now owned by Habitat for Humanity, but from 1898 to 1963, it was home to the station.
“They were some of the best firefighters in the city, from what I’ve been told, because they were first in on where the majority of the fires were,” said Lieutenant Lester Potts from the Danville Fire Department.
Potts grew up hearing stories about this group of men. He said they were a pillar for the community.
“Every day, they stepped up to prove themselves. Not just to prove themselves to whites, but to prove themselves to themselves, to their own community. Because the real reason they were doing it was to protect their community,” he said. “They maintained the growth of the community by being there to make sure that what was there was protected.”
Potts isn’t the first Fire Lieutenant in his family. Lt. Henry Thompson — his great grandfather — was one of those brave Black men fighting fires across the city in both African-American and white communities.
“Very big shoes,” Potts said. “Gives you a sense of pride, a sense of belonging.”
Potts said currently, he’s the only Black person in the Danville Fire Department, and he’s hoping to see more diversity soon.
“I’ve been the only one for roughly 14 years,” Potts said. “I’ve been the only one.”
Lt. Potts said some white firefighters would get sent to the all-Black station as punishment back then. But many of them liked it so much, they wanted to stay.
Danville’s all-Black fire station was the last one operated in the state.
