Fire houses have been an important part of Capitol Hill since the earliest days. Especially before the implementation of rules ensuring that buildings were fire safe, the need for a quick reaction when a fire broke out was paramount.
One of the fire houses was the Anacostia Engine House, built between the Marine Barracks and the Navy Yard – presumably to ensure that both of these would get quick service in an emergency.
Don’t look for it today – the building of the SE Freeway obliterated everything having to do with it.