Birmingham had likely become the only city in the world with an official courting chamber, known as the “Love Lounge,” for its unmarried firemen. This special room at the central fire station featured easy chairs, a library, and a gramophone, providing a comfortable space for firemen and their sweethearts to spend time together, even as duty called.
Official Courting Room in English Fire Station
LONDON. May 30, 1929. — Birmingham is probably the only city in the world which has an official courting chamber or love lounge, as the citizens are prone to call it.
The salon of cupid has been provided for the convenience of the unmarried firemen at Birminham’s central fire station.
Except on their weekly day “off,” firemen are not permitted to go out of sound of the station alarm bell. Consequently, firemen and their sweethearts had to prosecute their love affairs just outside the station — and in the public notice, they felt uncomfortable, no doubt.
One of the rooms of the fire station, therefore, has been equipped by the city with easy chairs, a library and a gramophone. But even then Dan Cupid must step aside when the fire gong rings.
The laudable part of the official match-making, however, is that the girls always wait in the lounge until the smoke eaters return from the fire.
Source: Vashon Island news-record. (Vashon, Wash.), 30 May 1929.
