August 16, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2010-31)
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
R. Steve Huffman
Public Information Officer
(251) 208-2857/Fax: (251) 208-2861
E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org
GHOST IN THE MACHINE?
Fire Officials discovered something out of the ordinary this morning in the old fire alarm room, now a museum, located on the second floor of Central Fire Station in downtown Mobile. Two lights on an old Gamewell Alarm System panel were lit up this morning. What makes it unusual is the fact the system hasn’t been used nor had power going to it in over 40 years.
In 1925 the Central Fire and Signal Station was opened and the Gamewell Alarm System was installed and put to work. Because of lack of telephones and radios during that time, pull boxes were strategically placed on street corners. When pulled, a signal was sent to Central, giving the location of the box and trucks were dispatched in a similar matter.
The blue number 4 and red number 10 lights are the only lights on the panel that are lit up.
Some think that the ghost of Laz Schwartz, who is reported to roam the halls of the three story building, may be responsible. Schwartz was City Commissioner and Mayor from 1911-1917 and the building was named and dedicated in his honor in 1925, the same year he died.
It could however be blamed on the severe lightning and rain storm that hit downtown on Sunday afternoon.
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