Fort Benning, Main Post, Fire Extension Office, 6859 Vibbert Avenue, Fort Benning Military Reservation

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS GA-2392-I. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

The Fire Extension Office (Building 92) at Fort Benning Main Post is significant as a contributing resource to the National Register-eligible Fort Benning Main Post Historic District. While the building is not individually architecturally significant, it is an intact example of a support building constructed on the Main Post of Fort Benning in the In addition, it is associated with the Fort Benning Fire Station No. 1 (Building 9) which is considered a contributing resource to the district as is noted in the Historic Building Survey: Fort Benning U.S. Army Infantry Training Center, Georgia.1 The Fort Benning Historic Resource Survey Update includes the Fire Extension Office (Building 92) as a contributing resource to the Main Post Historic District.

The survey report describes the building as having a look of permanence with its stuccoed exterior and location in an attractive landscaped lot to the rear of the Fire Station #1 on the Main Post. 2

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS GA-2392-I. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

Carter Finch, Architectural Historian Southern Research, Historic Preservation Consultants Pine Mountain, Georgia Photography by Bruce G. Harvey, Syracuse, New York July 13, 1 Robinson Fisher Associates with Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc., Historic Building Survey, Fort Benning U.S. Army Infantry Training Center, Georgia, (Prepared for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, 2 Jaeger Company and Southern Research, Fort Benning Historic Resource Survey Update, (Prepared for the U.S Army Infantry Center Directorate of Public Works, Environmental Management Division, FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, FIRE EXTENSION OFFICE HABS No. GA-2392-I (Page 2)

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS GA-2392-I. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

Tiya Services, the maintenance contractor for Fort Benning, is planning demolition or alteration of the Fire Extension Office (Building As this building is contributing to the National Register-eligible Fort Benning Main Post Historic District, the building must be documented as part of mitigation for adverse effects. This mitigation is being completed under Army Alternate Procedures. FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, FIRE EXTENSION OFFICE HABS No. GA-2392-I (Page 3) Part I. Historical Information A. Physical History 1. Date of erection: 2. Architect: The building was designed by the Office of Constructing Quartermaster, Fort Benning, Georgia. No individual architect has been identified. 3.

Original and subsequent owners, occupants, uses: The Fire Extension Office (Building 92) has been owned by the United States Department of the Army since its construction in It was occupied by members of Fire Station No. 1 located directly to the south.3 The Fire Extension Office s (Building 92 s) exact original function is not known; however, it is referred to as the Fire Alarm Office on a set of drawings from The name indicates that the building may have been used by firefighters who operated fire alarm systems or emergency dispatch (Appendix A). In recent years the building has remained vacant. 4. Builder, contractor, suppliers: The construction of the Fire Extension Office (Building 92) was overseen by the Office of Constructing Quartermaster at Fort Benning, Georgia.

No information is available regarding the builder or the source of construction materials. 5. Original plans and construction: The Fire Extension Office (Building 92) was constructed in as an ancillary building to the Fire Station No. 1 (Building 9) located approximately 38 to the south. No original construction plans for the Fire Extension Office (Building 92) are known to exist in the Post Engineer Office. Plans from a air conditioning installation, based on Post Engineer Office drawings from are available through the Fort Benning Department of Public Works Engineer Files. These plans depict the floor plan as it existed in with notes from the air conditioning installation. The plans indicate the present overall dimensions and the locations of the present window and door openings.

An interior room that is no longer present is depicted on the south side of the building. The present room on the southeast corner is not indicated.5 A copy of the plans is in Appendix A. 3 John Brent, et. al., Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plan, Fort Benning, Georgia (United States Army, 4 Fort Benning Post Engineer Office, Drawing PE-3441A-B, Fort Benning Post Engineer Office, Fort Benning, February 27, Viewed at Fort Benning Cultural Resources Management Office. 5 Fort Benning Post Engineer Office, Drawing PE-3441A-B. FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, FIRE EXTENSION OFFICE HABS No. GA-2392-I (Page 4) 6. Alterations and additions: The exterior of the Fire Extension Office (Building 92) is largely intact; however, the windows appear to have been replaced with smaller windows.

The original window openings are visible from the interior of the building. The present windows are wood, six-over-six, single-hung sash windows. The door on the south fa ade, which serves as the main entrance, also appears to be replaced. Photos from the survey update indicate that a concrete slab porch was constructed on the west side of the building. The porch consisted of concrete masonry unit half walls and a metal shed roof. The porch was later enclosed with screens.

The photos show a metal awning, similar to the porch roof, located over the main entrance on the south fa ade.6 Aerial photos indicate that the awning was replaced between and by a flat-roof, metal canopy that extended between the main entrance of the Fire Extension Office (Building 92) and the rear entrance of Fire Station No. 1 (Building 9). The porch on the west fa ade and canopy over the walkway were removed in October The interior of the building has undergone several alterations. The original flooring was replaced by the current 12 , vinyl composition tile Wall and ceiling materials are not original and consist of wood framing and covered in sheetrock.

Drawings of the floorplan, as it existed in show a small interior room located near the center of the south wall (Appendix A).7 This room has been removed. The real property cards for the building indicate that the extant room in the southeastern corner of the building was constructed in B. Historical Context Fort Benning is located in Chattahoochee, Marion, and Muscogee Counties, Georgia and Russell County, Alabama. Prior to the establishment of Fort Benning, the area was occupied by a number of Native American Tribes for at least years. The Muscogee Creek Indians were the most recent tribe to occupy the area in and around Fort Benning.

A portion of the land on which Fort Benning is now situated was owned by the Bussey family and operated as a plantation until it was sold to the United States Government in A farmhouse, home of the Bussey family, remains standing and has been used by the base for the entire succession of Post Commanders over the years. Fort Benning, first known as Camp Benning, was established in as the new location for the reorganized Infantry School of Arms which had moved from Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Camp Benning was first established 8 miles to the north of the city of Columbus. It was moved to its present location in due to the more spacious terrain 6 Jaeger Company and Southern Research, Fort Benning Historic Resource Survey Update. 7 Fort Benning Post Engineer Office, Drawing PE-3441A-B.

8 Department of Public Works, Real Property Record, Building 92, Department of Public Works, Fort Benning, December 6, Viewed at Fort Benning Cultural Resources Office. FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, FIRE EXTENSION OFFICE HABS No. GA-2392-I (Page 5) better suited to the camp s needs. It became a permanent post and was renamed Fort Benning in The Main Post area of Fort Benning, on which the Fire Extension Office (Building 92) is located, was the first area established when Fort Benning was first occupied in The initial plans for the Main Post divided the base into use specific areas for civic, academic, administrative, residential, hospital, warehouse, and recreational uses. This plan can be seen in the drawing by Brigadier General Briant H. Wells that depicts proposed buildings and areas.

This plan was followed by George B. Ford s proposed plan of The present-day layout of the Main Post reflects these early plans. Much of the Main Post, including some of the Cuartels, was completed by The Cuartels are a group of three buildings with C-shaped plans that form central courtyards. These buildings were constructed as improved housing for the soldiers. Previous housing largely consisted of wood barracks, houses, and tents. The Cuartels were constructed over a 14-year period between and Several of the buildings on the Main Post were constructed around the Cuartels as support buildings.

Other buildings constructed on the Main Post in the and include the Infantry Post Exchange building, the Bakers and Cooks School, the Main Post Theater, the Detention Barracks complex, the railroad depot, and Fire Station No. 1 (Building Along with the construction of Fire Station No. 1 in came the construction of the Fire Extension Office (Building The Fire Extension Office (Building 92) was constructed as a support structure for the fire station, which is located directly to the south. These two buildings were constructed to accommodate one company of firefighters. The Fire Extension Office (Building 92) appears on a aerial.

The aerial also indicates that a small building was constructed on the north side of the Fire Extension Office which remained until approximately (Appendix B Figure 1). To accommodate more and larger fire engines, a Quonset hut was constructed to the north of the Fire Extension Office (Building 92) by (Appendix B, Figure 2). Another small storage building was constructed to the north of the Quonset hut prior to (Appendix B, Figure These two buildings were demolished between and The Fire Extension Office s (Building 92 s) exact function throughout the years is not known; 9 John Brent, et.

al., Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plan; United States Army, Fort Benning Historic Trail, Webpage, accessed February 18, 10 Jaeger Company and Southern Research, Fort Benning Historic Resource Survey Update; United States Army, Fort Benning Historic Trail. 11 Jaeger Company and Southern Research, Fort Benning Historic Resource Survey Update; Robinson Fisher Associates with Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc., Historic Building Survey, Fort Benning U.S. Army Infantry Training Center, Georgia. 12 John Brent, et. al., Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plan; Fort Benning Cultural Resources Management Office Collection, and Aerial Photographs, obtained from the Fort Benning Cultural Resource Management Office Collection.

FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, FIRE EXTENSION OFFICE HABS No. GA-2392-I (Page 6) however, it is referred to on a set of drawings from as the Fire Alarm Office (Appendix A).13 The name indicates that the building may have been used by firefighters who operated fire alarm systems or emergency dispatch. In recent years, the building has remained vacant and is not currently serving any particular use. Part II. Architectural Information A. General Statement 1. Architectural Character: The Fire Extension Office (Building 92) is a contributing resource to the National Register-eligible Fort Benning Main Post Historic District. The building was constructed as a support building to Fire Station No. 1 (Building 9).

It was constructed in a similar style to other buildings built on the Main Post in the and with a load-bearing masonry structure and stucco exterior. It can be best described as a vernacular building, as it exhibits no particular academic style. Some architectural details include the gable-on-hip roof, stuccoed exterior, paired windows, concrete windowsills, and the vent in the gable. The eaves are boxed and may have previously had exposed rafter tails (Appendix C, Figure 1). 2. Condition of Fabric: The building is in fair condition overall but has suffered from some neglect in recent years. There is some cracking and water damage in the exterior stucco. The wood windows appear to have termite damage and some rot on the exterior.

The windows would likely require restoration or replacement should the building be rehabilitated. The interior of the building appears to have some minor rot and termite damage in the wall framing as well as missing sections of sheetrock (Appendix C, Figure 2). The roof structure visible from the interior appears to be in good condition. B. Description of Exterior 1. Overall Dimensions: The Fire Extension Office (Building 92) has a rectangular plan. Exterior measurements of the building are 39 -2 x 16 -2 .14 2. Foundations: The building rests on a poured concrete foundation. The foundation is visible at the main entrance and forms a small step into the building. 3.

Walls: The exterior walls of the Fire Extension Office (Building 92) are constructed of load bearing brick and are clad in stucco except for the bottom third of the building which is clad in concrete. The stucco and concrete are painted a cream or light beige color (Appendix C, Figure 1). 13 Fort Benning Post Engineer Office, Drawing PE-3441A-B. 14 Fort Benning Post Engineer Office, Drawing PE-3441A-B. FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, FIRE EXTENSION OFFICE HABS No. GA-2392-I (Page 7) 4. Structural System: The Fire Extension Office (Building 92) has a poured concrete foundation. It is a brick, load-bearing building. The exterior of the building is clad in poured concrete and stucco (Appendix C, Figure 1).

The building s interior is framed in wood which allowed for installation of sheetrock in more recent years (Appendix C, Figure 2). A small portion of the roof structure is visible from the interior. The visible interior roof structure consists of 2 x 6 rafters rising from the sill to the ridge. Only one ceiling joist is visible. It is constructed of 2 x 4 boards joined to form a 4 x 4 joist. 5. Porches: A concrete slab porch with a concrete block half-wall and metal shed roof was constructed on the west fa ade of the building circa The shed roof was supported on metal supports which rested on the concrete block half-wall. It was later screened in and remained on the west side of the building until it was demolished in October (Appendix C, Figure 3). 6.

Chimneys: The Fire Extension Office (Building 92) has no chimneys. 7. Openings a. Doorways and Doors: The Fire Extension Office (Building 92) has only one entrance. It is located on the south side of the building, facing Fire Station No. 1. The entrance consists of a replacement metal door on a concrete step, which is formed by the poured concrete foundation. Markings from the former awning can be discerned above the doorway (Appendix C, Figures 1 and 3). b. Windows and Shutters: All windows on the Fire Extension Office (Building 92) are wood, single-hung sash, six-over-six windows with concrete sills and no shutters or surrounds.

There are four windows on the north fa ade, two on both the east and west facades, and a set of paired windows and one single window on the south fa ade to the east of the main entrance. All single windows have the same dimensions. The present windows appear to be replaced; however, they do appear historic. The windows have some water damage, termite damage, and rot (Appendix C, Figure 4). 8. Roof a. Shape and Covering: The Fire Extension Office (Building 92) has a gable- on-hip roof with the gable on the south side and a vent centered in the gable. The roof is clad in composition asphalt shingles. There are no chimneys, and the roof is not otherwise punctured aside from a vent pipe on the west side end FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, FIRE EXTENSION OFFICE HABS No. GA-2392-I (Page 8) of the roof.

The eaves are boxed and may have previously contained exposed rafter tails (Appendix C, Figure 1). b. Cornice: The Fire Extension Office (Building 92) has boxed eaves and no exposed rafter tails. There is no coping or decorative features along the cornice. c. Dormers: Building 92 has no dormers. C. Description of Interior 1. Floor Plans: The Fire Extension Office (Building 92) has an overall rectangular plan with a small rectangular room in the southeast corner. This room was constructed after the removal of a smaller square room located centrally on the south wall (Appendix C, Figure 2). 2. Stairways: Building 92 contains no stairs. 3.

Flooring: The floor of the Fire Extension Office (Building 92) is poured concrete, sheathed in 12 x 12 , VCT flooring which does not appear historic (Appendix C, Figure 2). 4. Wall and Ceiling: The interior materials of the Fire Extension Office (Building 92) have been substantially altered. Wood framing was constructed on the interior of the walls to install drywall. The walls around the room on the southeast corner were framed in 2 x 4 studs and sheathed in drywall (Appendix C, Figure 2). The ceiling joists appear to have been replaced in order to install the modern drop ceiling with fissured acoustical tiles. 5. Openings: There is only one interior door and doorway which accesses the interior bathroom on the southeast corner. It is a hollow interior door which does not appear historic.

The main entrance doorway and the doorway for the interior door are both framed in modern wood molding. Windows on the interior appear much the same as on the exterior. The wood sills and framing are the depth of both the brick load bearing walls and the wood framing with sheetrock. The framing appears to have been added when the drywall and framing were installed and is likely not historic. Modern wood molding frames each window opening (Appendix C, Figure 2). 6. Decorative Features and Trim: The Fire Extension Office (Building 92) has modern wood molding around each window opening and both the main entrance and interior doorway. FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, FIRE EXTENSION OFFICE HABS No. GA-2392-I (Page 9) 7.

Hardware: No original hardware remains in the Fire Extension Office s (Building 92) interior. 8. Mechanical Equipment: Aside from electrical outlets along each wall, the mechanical equipment is all housed above the ceiling. The original lighting was removed and replaced with fluorescent lights when the drop ceiling was installed. Modern HVAC equipment is housed above the ceiling and modern vents puncture the drop ceiling. D. Site 1. Historic Landscape Design: The Fire Extension Office (Building 92) is part of a designed landscape which is centered around Fire Station No. 1 (Building 9). It is located on an approximately 0.61-acre lot at the corner of Vibbert Avenue and Harris Circle/Ingersoll Street.

The lot is bordered on the south by Vibbert Avenue, on the north by Buildings 468 and on the east by Harris Circle/Ingersoll Street and on the west by a parking lot that formerly served Building which has been demolished. The two-story Fire Station No. 1 is the prominent building on the lot and is located to the south of the Fire Extension Office. The area around the Fire Extension Office and Fire Station No. 1 features a lawn with walkways in a K-shaped pattern which connect Fire Station No. 1, the Fire Extension Office, and parking lot to the east. Poured concrete foundations of the former porch and the Quonset hut are located to the west and northwest of the Fire Extension Office respectively. Decorative trees and shrubs surround Fire Station No. 1.

There is a grouping of cypress trees at the southeast corner of the lot, a decorative oak between Fire Station No. 1 and the parking lot, and a persimmon tree at the northeast corner of the lot. Aerial photographs indicate that the landscape has changed over the years with the addition and removal of storage buildings, plantings, and the canopy between the office and station (Appendix C, Figure 5). A site plan depicting the Fire Extension Office and Fire Station No. 1 is in Appendix D. FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, FIRE EXTENSION OFFICE HABS No. GA-2392-I (Page 10) Part III. Sources of Information A. Architectural Drawings Fort Benning Post Engineer Office. Drawing PE-3441A-B. Fort Benning Post Engineer Office. Fort Benning, Georgia.

February 27, Viewed at Fort Benning Cultural Resources Management Office. B. Early Views Fort Benning Cultural Resources Office Collection. and Aerial Photographs. Obtained from the Fort Benning Cultural Resource Management Office Collection. C. Selected Sources Department of Public Works. Real Property Record, Building 92. Department of Public Works, Fort Benning, December 6, Viewed at Fort Benning Cultural Resources Office. Jaeger Company and Southern Research. Fort Benning Historic Resource Survey Update. Prepared for the U.S Army Infantry Center Directorate of Public Works, Environmental Management Division, John Brent, et. al. Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plan, Fort Benning, Georgia.

United States Army, Robinson Fisher Associates with Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc. Historic Building Survey, Fort Benning U.S. Army Infantry Training Center, Georgia. Prepared for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, D. Maps Department of Public Works Engineering Division. Main Post Fort Benning, Georgia. Department of Public Works Engineering Division. Fort Benning, Georgia. July United States Army. Main Post of Fort Benning, Georgia, Map. Viewed at the Fort Benning Cultural Resources Management Office. FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, FIRE EXTENSION OFFICE HABS No. GA-2392-I (Page 11) E. Websites United States Army. Fort Benning Historic Trail. Accessed February 18, FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, FIRE EXTENSION OFFICE HABS No.

GA-2392-I (Page 12) APPENDIX A: EXISTING DRAWINGS AND FLOOR PLANS FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, FIRE EXTENSION OFFICE HABS No. GA-2392-I (Page 13) Post Engineer Office, Drawing PE-3441 A. This drawing depicts the floor plan of the Fire Extension Office (Building 92) prior to removing and replacing the small interior room on the south. Source: Fort Benning Cultural Resources Management Office. FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, FIRE EXTENSION OFFICE HABS No. GA-2392-I (Page 14) APPENDIX B: HISTORIC PHOTOGRAPHS AND MAPS CITED IN TEXT FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, FIRE EXTENSION OFFICE HABS No. GA-2392-I (Page 15) Figure 1. Aerial photo from showing the Fire Extension Office (Building 92) and an additional small storage building (red circle). Source: Fort Benning Cultural Resources Management Office.

Edited by Author. FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, FIRE EXTENSION OFFICE HABS No. GA-2392-I (Page 16) Figure 2. Aerial photo from showing the Fire Extension Office (Building 92) and a newly added Quonset hut (red circle). Source: Fort Benning Cultural Resources Management Office. Edited by Author. FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, FIRE EXTENSION OFFICE HABS No. GA-2392-I (Page 17) Figure 3. Aerial photo from showing the Fire Extension Office (Building Quonset hut, and additional storage building (red circle). Source: Fort Benning Cultural Resources Management Office. Edited by Author. FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, FIRE EXTENSION OFFICE HABS No. GA-2392-I (Page 18) APPENDIX C: CURRENT CONDITIONS PHOTOGRAPHS CITED IN TEXT FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, FIRE EXTENSION OFFICE HABS No. GA-2392-I (Page 19) Figure 1.

Fire Extension Office (Building 92) oblique, looking northwest, showing overall form of building, stucco exterior, windows, main entrance, gable-on-hip roof, and some landscaping. Photo by Bruce G. Harvey, FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, FIRE EXTENSION OFFICE HABS No. GA-2392-I (Page 20) Figure 2. Fire Extension Office (Building 92) interior, facing east, showing interior walls, floor covering, ceiling, small interior room, damage to framing and wall materials, and exposed load bearing brick wall. Photo by Bruce G. Harvey, FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, FIRE EXTENSION OFFICE HABS No. GA-2392-I (Page 21) Figure 3. Fire Extension Office (Building photo showing the porch and canopy which have since been demolished.

Photo by Fort Benning Cultural Resources Management Staff, FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, FIRE EXTENSION OFFICE HABS No. GA-2392-I (Page 22) Figure 4. Fire Extension Office (Building paired six-over-six windows on south fa ade with water damage and rot. Photo by Author, FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, FIRE EXTENSION OFFICE HABS No. GA-2392-I (Page 23) Figure 5. Overview of Fire Extension Office (Building 92) and Fire Station No. 1 (Building 9) showing surrounding landscape and relationship of the two buildings. Photo by Bruce G. Harvey, FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, FIRE EXTENSION OFFICE HABS No. GA-2392-I (Page 24) APPENDIX D: SITE PLAN FORT BENNING, MAIN POST, FIRE EXTENSION OFFICE HABS No. GA-2392-I (Page 25) Site Plan of Fire Extension Office (Building 92) and surrounding landscape.

Excerpted from map of Fort Benning. Source: Fort Benning Cultural Resources Management Office. Edited by Author.