The Firehouse Gym in Big Timber, Montana, has a rich history that reflects its enduring commitment to the community's well-being. To this day, the red brick facade paired with it's roof mounted bell tower remain a historic presence on McLeod Street.
On March 13, 1908, a spark from a passing Northern Pacific locomotive set fire to their adjacent stockyard. Driven by high winds, flaming embers showered over the town, starting fires in numerous places. Before the fire was finally extinguished, one-half of the businesses and one-third of the residences went up in flames. Not surprisingly, in the aftermath of that fire, the mass meeting of the Big Timber Citizen's Progressive Party held in March 1909 to nominate candidates for municipal office also included a call for the construction of a fire hall.
The council awarded a construction contract for a combination town hall/fire hall six weeks after. From its construction in 1909 and until 1966, the brick and sandstone building served the governmental needs of the town. The town offices occupied the second floor while the fire department and jail were on the first floor. The jail, built in 1913, was removed in 1955 when a single story, steel post and beam, fire hall addition was built onto the rear of the original Town Hall. The city offices moved from the building in 1966 ,and the fire department moved out in 1995, when the facility was decommissioned.
Following its closure, the historic building attracted various owners, each proposing different restoration projects. Ideas ranged from converting it into a museum to developing condos and retail spaces. Due to economic challenges and unforeseen obstacles, none of these plans came to fruition, leaving the building vacant for years.
In 2012, Laura and Jeff Johnson purchased the building. Laura, holding a business degree and having experience in group fitness, and Jeff, with a background in design, architecture, and local business ownership, envisioned creating a community-centric fitness center. Their vision to create a space equipped with modern fitness amenities for community members to focus on health and wellness became a reality when they revitalized the structure, preserving its historical significance along the way.
Today, The Firehouse Gym, with it's roof mounted bell tower, remains a historic beacon of health and community wellness. The space provides a variety of amenities available to community members all aimed at promoting the health and well-being of Big Timber's residents, just as it was designed for in 1909.