The site where Nick's Sport Shop is now located was once the home of the Palmer Fire District Number One. Formed on September 19th, 1885, Palmer Fire District Number One purchased this site from the S.S. Taft & Company for a fee of $400. Plans for the new Engine House were drawn up by E.P. Ball for $70 and the Engine House was constructed by George W. Lyman for $3534. During the construction of the Engine House, the new Steamer was to be purchased for $4275 and delivered via the Boston and Albany Railroad from the Chapp and Jones Company of New York. The total cost to the town was $9,277.10.
The first practice with the new Steamer on November 7th, 1885 went very well. With help and direction from the Assistant Chief of Springfield, the first steam from cold water was 2 minutes 47 seconds. First water through 100 feet of hose was 6 minutes 5 seconds, and 100 pounds of steam in 11 minutes 30 seconds. Despite a friendly joking from members of a neighboring Fire Department (Ware) the chief declaired the first practice a success.
The building was purchased in 1999 by Dick and Sue Hamilton as the future home of Nick's Sport Shop. While some renovations were necessary, Dick and Sue wanted to preserve as much of the exterior look of the origional firehouse as possible. The exterior of the building was finished in red brick and a pair of barn doors similiar to the origional design was installed.
The preceeding descriptions were taken from the book "Palmer Fire Department 100th Anniversary Souvenir Book" in an article entitled "History of the Palmer Fire Department 1885-1985" written by Alan Fauteaux and is available at the Palmer Public Library.
