The Kings Mountain Historical Fire Museum was begun in November, 1975 and completed in early 1976. Over the following years additional buildings and improvements have been made. All of the work has been done by the paid and volunteer firefighters. Very little of the work has been done by outsiders other than some brick work and roofing.

The museum was born as a result of a conversation between then-Chief Gene Tignor and volunteer firefighter Jerry White, while trying to decide what to do with the city's 1938 Ford fire truck. White suggested that a museum be built to house this truck and all kids of old firefighting apparatus.

The museum houses several different fire trucks, the first pull-by-hand hose cart, first wooden ladder, and also the first fire pole used in Kings Mountain. There are old sets of turn out gear, early fire extinguishers, a showcase of past chiefs, and fire patches from around the world.

The Kings Mountain Historical Fire Museum welcomes visitors to its facility. To schedule a tour, contact the Fire Department at 704-734-0555. The Museum is located on Cleveland Avenue just off of the 74 By Pass in Kings Mountain. We also welcome donations of fire equipment for display in the museum. We are very proud of our extensive collection of patches also. Is your department's patch on display? We welcome patches from all organizations, not just fire departments. Send us your to:

Patch Collection
c/o Kings Mountain Fire Department
P.O. Box 429
Kings Mountain, N.C. 28086