c.1960 Just up the hill and around the corner from us. In those days the fire whistle at City Hall blew a signal corresponding to the number of the alarm box nearest the fire (presumably so the volunteers could report directly to the scene). So this time, when it blew 1 - 8, for box #18, right above us on Walnut, it got more than the usual amount of attention. But then, any fire whistle generally got me rushing up the hill with a pair of binoculars, either to the garage or an old acacia stump I could climb up, to see if I could catch a glimpse of anything. Later on, to my regret, they began always blowing seven, indicating the fire house itself. We always had one of the cards the Fire Department distributed showing the alarm box locations tacked up on the door in the kitchen. Click the thumbnail below to see an early one, undoubtedly WWII vintage, judging by the "Black Out" signal and Air Raid Warden references. Photo by Paul Penna
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