Boston Engine 8 Ladder 1 opened its doors on September 15,1948 at 392 Hanover Street at the corner of Charter Street The station is a combination of Engine 8, originally located at 133 Salem Street and Ladder. 1, moved from the decommissioned Bowdoin Square Firehouse located on Cambridge Street at Bowdoin Street and Bulfinch Street

Except for brief absences for renovations, Engine 8 Ladder 1 have occupied this firehouse since it opened. On June 20, 2005, Engine 8 & Ladder 1 moved to temporary quarters on the US Coast Guard Base at 427 Commercial Street, North End, to allow for replacement of the concrete slab on the firehouse floor. The companies returned to 392 Hanover Street at a later date.

Engine 8 Ladder 1 have a large response area, due to the proximity of the North End to Beacon Hill, Charlestown and East Boston Engine and Ladder 1 respond to approximately 1500 and 1300 calls a year respectively,