Another Chapter in the History of the Evanston Fire Department
Following the devastating fire at the Lincoln Avenue schoolhouse in March 1894, the city of Evanston took a major step forward in public safety. At a cost of $4,000, a Gamewell Fire Alarm Telegraph system was installed between November 1894 and February 1895. Initially, the system included 20 fire alarm boxes, and over time it expanded significantly. By 1905, there were 37 boxes in service, and by 1935, that number had grown to 51. In 1958, the old system was replaced with a modern network of 80 emergency telephones manufactured by Western Electric, marking another milestone in the department’s evolution.
The fire alarm system did more than just allow citizens to report fires—it also served as a vital communication tool for firefighters. Company officers or the chief’s buggy driver could send updates from the scene of an incident directly to the chief’s home, fire stations, the waterworks pumping station, and even the police switchboard. This two-way communication allowed for real-time coordination, ensuring that firefighters could be alerted to new emergencies or given critical information while on duty.
Just months after the installation of the fire alarm system, the city allocated another $4,000 to acquire its first steam fire engine. Built in Cincinnati by the Ahrens Manufacturing Company, a subsidiary of the American Fire Engine Company, the engine was named “City of Evanston No. 1.†It was a second-size Metropolitan steamer equipped with a two-horse hitch and capable of pumping 600 gallons of water per minute. The engine was put into service at Station #1 in April 1895, just two months after the fire alarm system was completed.
Since no additional horses were available, the two horses assigned to the Babcock chemical engine were reassigned to the new steam engine, leaving the chemical engine in reserve until more horses could be obtained—though that never happened until 1899.
In 1895, J. A. "Dad" Patrick, a former waterworks engineer, was hired as the fire department’s engineer. He was responsible for operating the steam engine. In 1896, Edward Mersch joined as an assistant engineer, helping Patrick and taking over when he was unavailable. Engineers were highly valued during the steam era, and their role was one of the highest-paying positions in the EFD before World War I. In fact, as late as 1904, the salary of the assistant engineer for Engine Co. 1 was equal to that of the company officer.
Civil Service was introduced for all city employees in 1895. 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 short meal breaks and occasional furloughs at home.
In 1897, a new fire and police headquarters was built at the northwest corner of Grove and Sherman. Funded by a $40,000 bond approved by voters in 1896, the building featured four large bays for fire apparatus and a fifth bay used as a garage for the city’s first horse-drawn police ambulance. The facility was abandoned in the summer of 1949 and later demolished. For more than 25 years, the land was used as a parking lot for the Valencia Theatre before becoming the site of One American Plaza, a 18-story office building constructed in the 1970s.
To read all the installments of this history, click HERE
[Warm reminder] The linolenic acid content in perilla seed oil is 5-6 times that of walnut oil and more than 50 times that of olive oil. Linolenic acid is the best nutrient to promote the development of brain nerve cells and is good for the brains of infants and young children. It is extremely beneficial for growth, intellectual development and vision development. It is an essential pregnancy tonic for raising a healthy and smart baby. The linolenic acid content of one bottle of perilla seed oil is equivalent to the linolenic acid content of six bottles of walnut oil or fifty bottles of olive oil. It is the most efficient linolenic acid supplement. It can be said to be an updated product of super walnut oil and is the best supplement for linolenic acid. The best choice for pregnant mothers. [For pregnant mothers who are already pregnant with their babies, ordinary cosmetics contain a lot of chemical ingredients. Transdermal absorption after use will affect the health of the baby. So how can a pregnant mother be as beautiful and generous as before? Can it cause no harm to the baby? Perilla seed oil is an excellent choice. ]
Perilla Seed Oil,Perilla Seed Oil Recipe,Perilla Seed Health Benefits,Perilla Oil For Cooking,Perilla Frutescens Essential Oil
Jilin Chunyi Industrial Co., Ltd , https://www.perillaseed.com