Montavilla Fights for Decades to Secure Its Own Fire Station

After years of petitions and community advocacy, the neighborhood finally gets its own fire station in 1913.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 9:56pm by Ben Kaplan

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An extremely blurred, impressionistic photograph of a historic fire station building, with warm pools of light and color creating a dreamlike, atmospheric scene.The historic Montavilla Fire Station No. 27 stood as a beacon of community safety and resilience for over four decades.Portland Today

For decades, the Montavilla neighborhood in Portland, Oregon fought to secure its own fire station. As the area grew in population and businesses in the early 1900s, residents repeatedly petitioned the city for better fire protection, citing devastating fires that destroyed homes and businesses. After years of advocacy by community leaders like William DeVeny, Montavilla finally got its own fire station in 1913, which served the neighborhood for over 40 years.

Why it matters

The story of Montavilla's fight for a fire station highlights the challenges that growing neighborhoods faced in securing essential public services from the city. It also demonstrates the power of persistent community organizing and advocacy to achieve important civic improvements, even in the face of resistance from city officials.

The details

In the early 1900s, the Montavilla neighborhood was not yet part of Portland and lacked professional fire protection, relying on a volunteer fire brigade. After several devastating fires in the 1890s and early 1900s, the community formed the Montavilla Board of Trade to push for annexation to Portland and the establishment of a local fire station. Despite petitions, the city repeatedly denied their requests until 1906 when Montavilla was finally annexed. Even then, it took years of continued advocacy before the city agreed to build Fire Station No. 27, which opened in 1913 at the corner of Burnside and 82nd Avenue.

  • In June 1892, residents of Montavilla's first subdivision formed a volunteer fire brigade.
  • In September 1902, a Rockwood fire spread to Montavilla, destroying several houses.
  • In July 1910, a major fire destroyed 15 buildings in Montavilla's commercial district.
  • In 1911, the Montavilla Board of Trade launched another petition campaign for a fire station.
  • On April 30, 1913, Montavilla's Fire Station No. 27 opened at the corner of Burnside and 82nd Avenue.

The players

William DeVeny

Secretary of the Montavilla Board of Trade who advocated strenuously for Montavilla's annexation to Portland and the establishment of a local fire station.

Allen G. Rushlight

The mayor of Portland who agreed to appropriate funds for a Montavilla fire station in 1911.

Battalion Chief Holden

The architect and fire chief who designed the plans for the new Montavilla fire station in 1912.

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What they’re saying

“For all the fire protection that we now have, we might as well be located in the woods, many miles from the city limits.”

— William DeVeny, Secretary of the Montavilla Board of Trade

“The narrow escape of the suburb from being completely destroyed has emphasized the need for a fire station and engine in the central portion of the district.”

— The Oregonian

What’s next

The city plans to celebrate the 110th anniversary of the Montavilla Fire Station No. 27 with a community event in April 2023.

The takeaway

Montavilla's long fight for a fire station demonstrates the power of persistent community advocacy to secure essential public services, even in the face of resistance from city officials. This story highlights the challenges that growing neighborhoods faced in the early 20th century to get the infrastructure and resources they needed.