Chief John Stewart Jr. Fire Station
(Only fire station named in honor of an African American – we will confirm)
John Stewart Jr., was fourteen years old and had been carrying water for elephants during Barnum and Bailey’s Circus performance on Barbour Street. An incendiary mixture of gasoline and paraffin was used to waterproof the circus tents. "The fire had a lasting effect on me, and I think it's why I became a fireman." The Great Fire as it would be called would give Hartford its first African American fire chief. Chief Stewart was Hartford’s Fire Chief from 1980-1992.