Parque de Bombas is a red and black striped firehouse on Plaza Las Delicias, in the historic center of Ponce. It was built in 1882 as a pavilion for an exhibition, and the following year it became the city's first fire station. Since 1990 it has been a museum about firefighting, with vintage fire engines, old photographs, uniforms and helmets. The museum is small, so a visit is short, and it stands on the same square as the cathedral, which makes the two easy to see in one stop. Entry is free.
Red and black stripes and the mixed architecture
The facade is painted in red and black, the colors Ponce is known for, and the stripes give the building a look few others in Puerto Rico share.
The design draws on Moorish Revival, Victorian and Gothic Revival styles. It was designed for an exhibition rather than as a fire station. Stand across the plaza to see the full front, then move closer to look at the building from the street side.
The building is made largely of wood and has been part of the square for well over a century.
From exhibition pavilion to museum
The building was first put up as a pavilion for an 1882 exhibition in Ponce, a trade and agricultural fair. The following year it was converted into a firehouse, and it became the city's first fire station.
The Ponce fire corps used the building as its headquarters for many years, until the late 1980s. In 1990 the firehouse reopened as a museum dedicated to the city's firefighters. Some of the exhibits are on the second floor.
The firefighters did not slide down a pole when called out. They ran down the stairs.
Inside the museum
The exhibits cover the firefighting equipment used in Ponce over the years. Vintage fire engines stand among the displays, next to historical photographs of the firefighters, uniforms and helmets.
The collection also includes pieces from other parts of the world, so it reaches beyond the city's own history. Because the museum is small, you can move through it at your own pace.
Staff are happy to share stories about the station and the men and women who worked in it.
How a visit works
Entry is free, and donations are appreciated by the museum. The entrance and restroom are wheelchair accessible, and there is a changing table for families with small children.
Parking is available in a free lot, and paid street parking is also nearby. A free concert takes place on Sunday evenings, and the building is also used for private events.
A short visit inside leaves time to walk the square and see the cathedral before or after.
Around Plaza Las Delicias
Plaza Las Delicias is the main square of the historic center and the starting point for most visitors to Ponce, the second largest city in Puerto Rico. The Cathedral Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe stands on the same square, so both can be seen in one stop.
During the day the plaza fills with vendors selling food and crafts. In the evening it often has live music, which makes it a good place to end the afternoon.
FAQ
Is there an entry fee?
No. Entry is free, and the museum appreciates donations.
How long do you need?
The museum is small, so a visit is short. Allow about 30 to 60 minutes, and more if you want to photograph the building from the square.
Is the museum wheelchair accessible?
The entrance, restroom and parking lot are wheelchair accessible.
Is there a concert at the building?
A free concert takes place on Sunday evenings.
