Before building its own quarters Ballard’s Burke Avenue, the Shingle Capitol’s fire department was lodged in its brick City Hall. Here volunteers (mostly) pose with two of the department’s hose reals. On August 25, 1902 the Ballard hose team won an invitational race and $124 on Firemen’s Day. Running on Union Streeet between fourth and Seventh Avenues they made a run of 300 yards, laid a line (of hose), and had water running in forty-one seconds. The Columbia Cityi team was second in forty-nine seconds. At two extremes, the Seattle Team did not run, and the Hoquiam team ran too well. It easily made the best run, but went oo far, passing the first fire plug entirely. Hence no record of their run could be taken.