Evanston Fire Department history – Part 7

The Evolution of the Evanston Fire Department: A Historical Perspective

Following the devastating Lincoln Avenue schoolhouse fire in March 1894, the City of Evanston took decisive action to improve its emergency response capabilities. In a significant investment of $4,000, the city installed a Gamewell Fire Alarm Telegraph system between November 1894 and February 1895. This early system included 20 fire alarm boxes, marking a major step forward in public safety. By 1905, the number of active boxes had grown to 37, and by 1935, there were 51 in service. The original telegraph system was eventually replaced in 1958 with a more advanced network of 80 Western Electric emergency phones, reflecting the ongoing evolution of communication technology.

Beyond allowing citizens to report fires, the fire alarm telegraph served as a critical communication tool for firefighters. Company officers or the chief’s buggy driver could send updates from the scene to the chief’s home, fire stations, the waterworks pumping station, and even the police switchboard. This two-way communication enabled real-time coordination, ensuring that firefighters could be alerted to new incidents or receive vital information while on duty.

In the months following the installation of the fire alarm system, the Evanston City Council approved an additional $4,000 to purchase the department’s first steam fire engine. Built by the Ahrens Manufacturing Company in Cincinnati, this 2nd size Metropolitan steamer was named “City of Evanston No. 1.” It featured a two-horse hitch and could pump 600 gallons of water per minute. The engine was deployed at Station #1 in April 1895, just two months after the telegraph system became operational.

Since no new horses were acquired for the steamer, the two animals assigned to the Babcock chemical engine were reassigned, leaving the chemical engine in reserve until 1899 when more horses became available.

In 1895, J.A. “Dad” Patrick, a former Waterworks engineer, was hired as the fire department’s engineer, responsible for operating the new steam engine. Edward Mersch joined as assistant engineer in 1896, supporting Patrick and taking over when he was unavailable. Engineers were highly valued during the steam era, often earning the second-highest salary in the department—just behind the chief. In fact, up until 1904, the assistant engineer of Engine Co. 1 earned as much as the company officer, highlighting the critical role they played in operations.

Civil Service was introduced for Evanston city employees in 1895, and only five fire department members—Jack Sweeting, George Hargreaves, Carl Harms, Edwin Whitcomb, and J.A. Patrick—qualified under the new system. The position of fire marshal remained exempt. Jack Sweeting was promoted to captain of Engine Co. 1 around this time. Five new firefighters, including Assistant Engineer Ed Mersch, were hired in 1895–96 after passing Civil Service exams. Like military personnel, all firefighters were on duty at all times, though they were allowed to take meal breaks and occasional furloughs at home.

A new fire and police headquarters was built in 1897 at the northwest corner of Grove and Sherman. Funded by a $40,000 bond approved by voters in 1896, the building housed four large apparatus bays and a fifth bay used as a garage for the city’s first horse-drawn police ambulance. The facility was abandoned in 1949 and later demolished. For over 25 years, the site served as a parking lot for the Valencia Theatre before becoming the location of One American Plaza, a 18-story office building completed in 1977.

To explore the full history of the Evanston Fire Department, visit this link.

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