Station 21 was built in 1979 as the district reorganized to provide better coverage to Topeka Township. The district had outgrown its former station, at SE 29th and California where McDonald’s now stands, and needed to relocate fire stations to the south and east.

Station 21 pre-dates the use of 911 for receiving emergency calls and was initially constructed not only to provide space for a full-time duty officer, but with a three bedroom apartment for a fire dispatcher and their family to also live in the station.

Station 21 was originally constructed with garage space for 4 fire apparatus and was later rearranged to house 6 apparatus. A wood frame garage was added next to the station to house shop equipment and small vehicles.

When the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center was established in 1994, dispatchers and their families left the district stations. Station 21 houses the district’s administrative offices.