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The Ethan Allen Engine Company #4
In 1889, according the Burlington Daily Free Press “The new fire department building is an architectural credit of the city.” The building became the new home for the volunteer fire department the "Ethan Allen Engine Company #4" also known as the "Ethans." They were known as a "silk stocking crowd" because the members were composed chiefly of bankers, merchants and businessmen.

Early in 1895, the continuation of the City's Volunteer Fire Departments was at stake. On the morning of January 9th, Fire Station No. 3, then located at 58 Colchester Avenue, was destroyed by fire with much embarrassment to the fire fighters. Shortly after, on March 19th the J.R. Booth Lumber Mills burned with a loss of $177,505.54. This was the last fire attended by the City's Volunteer Fire Department, then composed of four Engine Companies and three Hose Companies. Faced with the probable increase in fire insurance rates, because of these two fires,(the most disastrous in years) an aroused citizenry effected the organization of a paid Fire Department, with headquarters at the Ethan Allen building on Church Street. The paid department assumed its duties, April 1, 1895; the seven volunteer companies ceased to exist as fire fighters, but continued as social organization.

The Ethan Allen Engine Company No. 4 moved to rooms in the Walker Block 166 Bank Street, and became one of the leading social organizations in the City. By an Act of the Legislature, dated November 11, 1896, the Charter of the Ethan Allen Engine Company No. 4, of Burlington, Vermont was amended, the name changed to Ethan Allen Club, and the purpose of the organization amended to read "For the purpose of promoting among its members social intercourse, and mental and physical culture and improvement." The Ethan Allen Club remained a Burlington social Club until 2010.

The Firehouse Bell
At the time of construction in 1889, the Ethan Allen Engine House (now BCA Center) was the tallest building in the city. It was a step toward centralizing the City's many volunteer fire departments and public alarms. At the time there were seven hose and engine volunteer departments. The Burlington Daily Free Press reported on the bell the moment it arrived in Burlington. For on article a reporter was invited to accompany officials during the first testing of the fire alarm telegraph system.

In a Burlington City 1889 Report Chief Engineer FE Perkins reported that "The fire alarm is working to the satisfaction of those who live close enough to hear it...I would recommend raising the bell tower at least 20 feet higher."

The bell was purchased from the Meneely Bell Foundry for $907.68 and J. Wakefield was paid $121.57 to hoist the bell in the tower. The bell was cast at the Meneely & Co., Troy NY and delivered to Burlington in 1889, it was in use from 1889 -1950. In 1957 the Shelburne Museum purchased the bell for $440.00. The bell tower was restored by Engineering Ventures and John Anderson Studio, restoration was completed and the bell was returned with ceremony in 2002, however it does not ring.

The history of the bell tower and its bell was documented in the installation "The Firehouse Bell Project" as part of the group exhibition "User Required." The installation was on view from April 12, - May 18, 2013 during which timevisitors were asked "Do you think The Firehouse Bell should ring again?" The final vote was 464 yes and 68 no.