The building was constructed as a result of the Terminal Tower and Union Depot project that was going on at the time.  Opening in 1926, it replaced the former Station 28 and Alarm Office located on Hill Street to the south.  That area had to be demolished to make way for the new railroad track approach leading into the Union Depot under Terminal Tower.

Originally, the “front” faced north but after the Lorain Carnegie Bridge was built in 1931, fire trucks had to exit to the south onto Central Viaduct Roadway. It operated as an active fire station until September 27, 1982.

The west side of the second floor became the Fire Department Dispatch Center and central processing area for alarms received from the 1,300 fire alarm street boxes located around the City.  It remained active until 2002 when the building closed and The Dispatch center was moved to the City’s 911 Center.

In 2003, the newly formed Western Reserve Fire Museum and Education Center, a Ohio 501(c)3 non-profit Corporation, was able to obtain a long term lease from the City of Cleveland and begin  the restoration process to transform it into a museum.

In 2005, the building was recognized by the City of Cleveland as an historic landmark. It is also listed in the Ohio Historic Inventory (District 9, Building No. 90, CV4-721-2).