Evanston Fire Department history – Part 8

On December 5, 1897, a dramatic event unfolded off the coast of Evanston when a lamp exploded in the engine room of the steamship *Morley*, a 1,000-ton vessel that was 193 feet long and had a crew of 12. The ship was located half a mile offshore on Lake Michigan. The fire was first spotted by a resident of 305 Davis Street, who immediately alerted the Evanston Fire Department (EFD). Chief Sam Harrison responded swiftly, calling for “City of Evanston No. 1” and all the available hose in town.

Upon arrival, Harrison boarded a surf boat from the Northwestern University Life Saving Crew and ventured nearly half a mile (2,500 feet) out to the stricken ship, dragging a length of hose behind him. Once there, he was warned that the boilers could explode at any moment. Despite the danger, Harrison bravely tackled the fire and managed to put it out in one of the coal bunkers. As he prepared to douse the second bunker, flames 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, a prominent figure in Evanston’s early history. Hurd, who had served as the first Evanston Town Board President in 1864, was highly critical of the EFD’s response. He pointed out that the steam fire engine was not dispatched to the initial alarm, and the Waterworks engineer failed to increase water pressure in the mains when needed.

In response, the Evanston City Council conducted an investigation and concluded that while procedures were followed, they needed to be updated. From that point forward, the steam fire engine would respond to every fire alarm, and water pressure in the city’s main lines would be increased whenever a fire was reported—before confirmation. This policy, implemented in 1900, eventually led to the collapse of some water mains in 1912, prompting the city to limit direct-pressure (plug-pressure) use to only extraordinary circumstances.

The Hurd fire also prompted the city to invest in better firefighting infrastructure. The council approved $10,000 in 1900 for the construction of a new fire station in North Evanston, strategically placed within a quarter-mile of the C&NW RR Central Street depot. This ensured that a fire station was within close proximity of each of the three C&NW depots. On January 31, 1901, Fire Station #3 was officially opened at 2504 West Railroad Avenue (later known as Green Bay Road), equipped with a horse-drawn hose wagon, two horses, and three full-time firefighters. A third firefighter was also added to 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 in Evanston to 19: 12 at Station #1, 3 at Station #2, and 3 at Station #3, with the chief alternating between his office and home. By 1901, the EFD had 14 horses in service—10 at Station #1, 2 at Station #2, and 2 at Station #3. The equipment at Station #1 included the Ahrens Metropolitan 2nd size steamer, a two-axle four-wheeled hose wagon, the historic Babcock chemical engine, the Davenport H&L (the only ladder truck in town), and the chief’s buggy. All five units were fitted with a two-horse hitch. Stations #2 and #3 operated with similar hose wagons, each equipped with a two-horse hitch. These three hose wagons became the backbone of the EFD from 1901 to 1907, each carrying 1,250 feet of high-quality 2-1/2 inch hose, various nozzles, fire extinguishers, and hand tools. Direct-pressure systems were still used routinely during this time.

To read all the installments of this history, click HERE

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