The Fire Department and The Theater
The Jamestown theater, also known as The Palace, has been showing movies since the 1920s. The idea for the theater came from a local resident's own experience using a movie projector at the Red Cross station located at Fort Wetherill during World War 1. Samuel Bomes purchased the building in 1946. Movies were shown here for many summers, providing entertainment for locals and tourists alike. It wasn’t uncommon at the beginning of summer to share the theater with various animals who had sought winter shelter in the theater.
Please proceed one block west to the Fire Department.
The Jamestown Fire and EMS is an all-volunteer organization. In 1890, with a total of $1405, the town approved the purchase of an engine, an engine house, a hose, a ladder, and a cart. In 1926, the land was purchased on Narragansett Avenue for just under $4,000. That was the start of the Jamestown fire station as it is today.
The Fire Department also has a museum that you can visit.
This Memorial Museum has a restored horse-drawn steam fire engine. The engine was first acquired in 1984 and is said to be 1 of 3 still in working order today. The museum also has equipment and memorabilia that visitors can view.
Now please continue west towards stop 4, just passed the Jamestown Museum.
While you walk, I would like to tell you about a local ghost story.
This story dates back to World War 1. Soldiers used to report seeing a black dog that had red eyes and could walk through walls. The soldiers use to believe that if the dog looked at you it was a warning that death was near. It was reported that barking could be heard when no dog was near. This was also a sign of the death dog. So if you’re ever walking around Jamestown and see a dog with glowing red eyes, be sure to go the other way!
There have also been sighting of soldiers walking through the streets around dusk. Just far enough away that you can see the outline but nothing more. These figures disappear before you can get close enough to investigate.