This handsome two-story stone building at 111 Coffee Street, with its stately bell tower, was built in 1886. A few of the hand-cut limestone blocks in its foundation probably have a shadow of smoke on them, having been salvaged from the fire that destroyed the Phoenix Hotel blocks away a year earlier.

Unlike the Phoenix, this beautiful structure—now commonly called Old Village Hall—still stands strong after serving the people of Lanesboro in many ways over many years. Town Clerk office. Police department. (Look around back to see the jail’s barred windows). Lanesboro’s earliest library. A popular restaurant. The Old Village Hall has been all of those. Its most memorable use—certainly its longest at a century—was as the fire truck garage.

Imagine a scene that took place here many times. Many frightening times. Word spreads—there’s a fire in town! Someone pulls the rope hanging from the building’s side to ring the bell.. That gathers volunteer firefighters. The large barn doors in front swing open. Horses from the blacksmith shop next door are quickly harnessed to the fire wagon. It takes only minutes, but every second counts. There’s a fire to be fought! Lives may be in danger! Let’s go!

Those days are long past. Lanesboro’s modern fire hall filled with massive trucks and a tech-filled ambulance, is on the south side of town on Highway 16. New technology, yes, but similar challenges. Fighting fires. Saving lives and property. All possible only because of the same courage of local firefighters.

What’s left here is a building and a tower now visited only by pigeons. The bell is silent. (Creative pranksters did ring it a few times over the years before the rope was removed). What should not be forgotten is the dedication and bravery of those who answered its call.