After several months of silence, the air horn mounted atop Larkspur City Hall will again soon blast. The horn, a Gamewell Diaphone Type B is one of the only remaining air horns of it's type in the US. It was installed in its present location, atop a tower on the rear of City Hall in the early1930's. It still functions using most of its original equipment; in fact, there are no replacement parts as production stopped long ago. Larkspur Fire Captain Jim Clark is our in house expert and has been working to make repairs so that it can soon once again blast.

       For those who grew up in Larkspur, we all remember the horn blasting each day three times at 8 am, noon and 5 pm. Sometime in the early 1970's, the 8 am blast was discontinued. At the time, the horn's primary function was to alert off duty and volunteer firefighters to an emergency. Many years ago, pagers took over this function and the days of using the horn for emergency purposes came to a close.

       All the communities in the Ross Valley once used such a system. In fact, at noon and 5 pm, horns in Corte Madera, Larkspur, Kentfield, Ross, San Anselmo and Fairfax would blast. Larkspur was the last community to discontinue this practice, and only because the horn fell into a state of disrepair.

       Today there is a new and vital need for the horn and soon residents in the area will hear its familiar blast. Agencies across Marin are currently expanding disaster preparedness and emergency warning programs. Many cities and towns are in the process of installing elaborate air raid style warning sirens. While Larkspur officials were considering the purchase of this equipment, it was suggested that if possible, the air horn be used for emergency warning. It appears that the horn can be repaired and properly maintained for this function. When ready, it will be used to alert citizens of a pending emergency, such as a flood threat. Like the other audible warning systems in the area, it will be tested on the first Saturday of the month at noon, to ensure that it is functioning properly.

       Located on the Fire Department page of the City of Larkspur website, Captain Clark has provided extensive historical information and additional photos of the horn. In the near future, you might hear a blast as we work to get the horn up and running. Before it is deployed for emergency use, we will distribute information summarizing it's new purpose and advising folks what action to take if the horn is activated.