FowlerRailProd
 
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Joined: Mon Sep 27, 2021 7:37 am
Real Name: Caleb
YouTube Username: Fowler Rail Productions

Fresno, CA SD-10 Siren System

Wed Jun 15, 2022 1:31 am

In June of 1956, the city of Fresno installed 27 SD-10 Air Raid Sirens on 40ft Yellow Poles. They were placed all over town, mostly downtown area. The Sirens first sounded on July 6th, and were to be sounded monthly thereafter. But in 1958, Monthly testing was stopped and then in 1963 the sirens were decommisioned. They sat for 10 years until in 1973 when the city took down all of the sirens and restored them. By the end of the year, all the sirens were back up and working. Some sirens were put back in their original place, but some were moved. Some were moved just a few blocks from the original location, and some near railroad tracks. One in particular was moved onto the roof of the Veterans Memorial Auditorium. The sirens were tested monthly until they decomissioned them 4 years later in 1977. They were taken out of service because of the advances in telecommunications and because the city expanded beyond the sirens reach. Popular Neighborhoods like fig garden, and mayfair had no sirens. Since then, they've sat silent never to be heard again. In 1984, the siren located at ashlan and west avenues was set off by pranksters and could be heard for miles. Many newer residents of fresno were confused on what to do. While the older residents were familiar with the sound. 15 of the 27 original sirens exist today. Sadly no audio recordings of the system, but if you happen to have one please share!
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1973sirens.JPG
Awaiting restoration, 1973.
1973sirens.JPG (119.76 KiB) Viewed 770 times

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