This Sanford Fire Department’s 150th Anniversary Mural is a vibrant tribute to the second oldest fire department in the State of Florida.
Founded in 1873, four years before the city was even incorporated, the Sanford Fire Department began as a volunteer force known as the Hook and Ladder Company #1. The department’s early mettle was tested during the Great Fire of 1887, an inferno that leveled much of the business district. That trial by fire transformed the SFD from a small band of volunteers into a professional, resilient cornerstone of the community.
While the mural captures the evolution of equipment, it also honors the evolution of the people donning the uniform. A pivotal chapter in this history was written in February 1969, when Hezekiah Ross broke the color barrier to become Sanford’s first Black firefighter. Ross didn't just fight fires; he blazed a trail for diversity and inclusion that reshaped the department's culture. Known later as Bishop Ross, his life was a testament to service both on the fire line and in the pulpit, ensuring that the SFD looked like the community it protected.
Painted by local artist Bruce Merrell, this commemorative mural serves as a permanent "thank you" to the generations of firefighters who have answered the call to service with vigilance, bravery, and steady hands. All are beloved heroes.
