Another Chapter in the History of the Evanston Fire Department
On December 5, 1897, a dramatic incident unfolded when a lamp exploded in the engine room of the steamship *Morley*, a vessel measuring 193 feet long and weighing 1,000 tons. The ship was located half a mile offshore from Evanston on Lake Michigan, with a crew of 12 onboard. A local resident at 305 Davis Street spotted the fire and immediately alerted the Evanston Fire Department (EFD). Chief Sam Harrison quickly called for “City of Evanston No. 1†and all available hoses in the city to respond.
Upon arrival, Harrison, accompanied only by the Northwestern University Life Saving Crew’s surf boat, ventured out to the stricken ship, dragging nearly half a mile of hose behind him. Once there, he was warned that the boilers could explode at any moment. Undeterred, Harrison fought the fire in one of the coal bunkers. As he attempted to douse the second bunker, flames suddenly surged past him, forcing him to abandon the ship. The fire continued to burn for another eight hours, drawing a large crowd to the beaches of Evanston. Fortunately, both Chief Harrison and all twelve members of the *Morley*’s crew escaped without injury.
Two years later, on August 22, 1899, a major fire damaged the home of Judge Harvey B. Hurd and destroyed several nearby buildings at the intersection of Davis and Ridge streets. Judge Hurd, a prominent figure in Evanston who had served as the first Town Board President in 1864, criticized the EFD's response to the fire. He pointed out that the steam fire engine was not sent to the initial alarm, and the Waterworks engineer failed to increase water pressure when it was needed.
An investigation by the Evanston City Council found that procedures were followed, but they recognized the need for reform. From that point on, the steam fire engine would respond to every fire alarm, and water pressure would be increased in the mains whenever a fire was reported—before even confirming the fire. This policy, however, led to problems in 1912, as some city water mains collapsed due to the high pressure. As a result, direct-pressure (plug-pressure) was eventually abandoned except in rare cases.
The Hurd fire also prompted the city council to recommend more personnel and the construction of a third fire station. In 1900, $10,000 was allocated for a new station in North Evanston, located within a quarter-mile of the C&NW RR Central Street depot. With the opening of Fire Station #3, each of the three C&NW depots had a fire station nearby. On January 31, 1901, a horse-drawn hose wagon, two horses, and three full-time firefighters were assigned to the new station at 2504 West Railroad Avenue, now known as Green Bay Road. A third firefighter was also stationed at Fire Station #2 in South Evanston. Additionally, the chief was provided with a horse-drawn buggy and a driver who doubled as his secretary.
This expansion brought the total number of firefighters to 19: 12 at Station #1, 3 at Station #2, and 3 at Station #3, with the chief based either at his office or his home. By 1901, the EFD had 14 horses in service—10 at Station #1, 2 at Station #2, and 2 at Station #3. Station #1 was equipped with an Ahrens Metropolitan 2nd size steamer, a two-axle four-wheeled hose wagon, a Babcock chemical engine, a Davenport H&L ladder truck, and the chief’s buggy—all fitted with a two-horse hitch. Stations #2 and #3 each had a similar hose wagon. These three wagons formed the backbone of the EFD from 1901 to 1907, each carrying 1,250 feet of high-quality 2½-inch hose, nozzles, extinguishers, and hand tools. Direct-pressure was still used regularly during this time.
To read all the installments of this history, click HERE
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