Another Look at the History of the Evanston Fire Department
Beyond the well-known fires at the Lincoln Avenue schoolhouse in 1894, the steamer Morley on Lake Michigan in 1897, and the Harvey Hurd estate in 1899, the Evanston Fire Department faced several other major blazes between 1894 and 1899. These incidents not only tested the bravery of the firefighters but also highlighted the growing challenges of urban firefighting in the late 19th century.
On Sunday morning, February 25, 1894, at 9:20 AM, choir member Walter Clark discovered a fire at the First Presbyterian Church on Chicago Avenue. The blaze was caused by a faulty furnace that had been lit early that morning by the church janitor. As in the 1875 fire, the flames quickly spread to the roof. Firefighter Ed Densmore was struck by falling bricks but escaped with minor injuries. Chief Sam Harrison became trapped in the basement due to thick smoke but managed to escape before being overcome. Though the fire was contained from spreading to nearby homes, one suffered exterior damage. The church was destroyed, marking the third-largest fire loss in Evanston’s history up to that point, with damages totaling $30,700.
At 3 AM on Tuesday, April 14, 1896, the EFD responded to a fire in the basement of the Bartlett Building at Davis and Chicago. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy smoke and burning natural gas. Flames spread rapidly, engulfing the entire structure. While the Oliver Building and a nearby residence were saved, several businesses—including a millinery shop, a jewelry store, and a barber shop—were heavily damaged. The total loss amounted to $13,500. Capt. Jack Sweeting injured his foot while descending a ladder, and rookie firefighter William Wheldon Ely suffered a severe eye injury. Ely had recently gained local attention for scoring a perfect mark on the first-ever Civil Service test, but without a pension system or insurance, his injury ended his career immediately.
On October 26, 1897, Alderman Thomas Ryan, who also worked at the gasworks, rescued a two-month-old infant from a burning house on Emerson Street. Tragically, the mother, Kate McDermott McDonnell, died in the fire—the fourth fatality in an Evanston fire since the department’s formation in 1873. Just five months later, Ryan himself died after being overcome by gas fumes at the gasworks. He was leading an investigation into the EFD at the time, though no foul play was suspected.
On February 3, 1898, a fire broke out at St. Nicholas Catholic Church’s parish house on Ridge Avenue. Four teachers and 140 children were safely evacuated, but Sister Martha was overcome by smoke and rescued by firefighters. Poorly maintained hydrants in South Evanston, which had recently been annexed, hampered the initial response. Fireman George Hargreaves was knocked unconscious and suffered serious leg injuries when he fell through a window. He was out of action for over six weeks. The parish house was severely damaged, with $10,475 in losses.
On January 6, 1899, another fire erupted at the Oliver Building on Davis Street, just across from where the Bartlett Building had burned two years earlier. A basement fire spread upward, collapsing stoves and a furnace. Despite using five hose lines, the fire eventually destroyed the building, including a hardware store, real estate office, and McConnell Hall. Total losses reached $13,000.
Finally, on February 9, 1899, the EFD responded to a fire at the home of Zalmon G. Sholes, heir to the Remington Typewriter fortune. All family members and servants were safely evacuated. However, a natural gas explosion knocked five firefighters off the porch, and two chimneys nearly hit others. Despite multiple attempts to extinguish the fire, it reignited later that night. A crew from the Northwestern Gas Light & Coke Company spent 2.5 hours locating and shutting off the gas valve. The total loss was $7,000.
These events illustrate the dangers faced by early firefighters and the evolving challenges of urban fire safety. To read more about the history of the Evanston Fire Department, click HERE.
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