Another Chapter in the History of the Evanston Fire Department
In 1901, the annual salaries for members of the Evanston Fire Department varied significantly. The Fire Marshal earned $1,500, while Engineers received $960, and Captains and Assistant Engineers were paid $780. Firemen made $720 per year. All firefighters worked 24-hour shifts followed by a 12-hour break. If a fireman was absent during their scheduled shift—whether due to illness, injury, or even a furlough—they would not be compensated. Meal breaks were typically taken at home or at a nearby restaurant, as no formal dining facilities were provided.
On a bitterly cold Sunday, December 15, 1901, a fire broke out at the Hoyt Flats on Judson Avenue. All residents were safely evacuated, but the Evanston Fire Department struggled to contain the blaze. They had to call in help from the Chicago Fire Department. Three firefighters were injured during the effort: Al Hofstetter of Engine Company 1 suffered a sprained shoulder after falling from a ladder, John Steward of Hose Company 2 got frostbite on both feet, and Charles Harvey from Truck Company 25 sustained multiple bruises after slipping on a frozen ladder. The fire caused $15,000 in damage, making it one of the most costly fires in Evanston’s history up to that point.
In August 1902, Evanston firefighters Al Hofstetter, John Eckberg, Ed Johnson, and William Pruter, along with their horses “Bob†and “Dan,†returned triumphantly from Blue Island after winning the prestigious “Firemen’s Competition.†The city celebrated their victory with a parade down Chicago Avenue, where the Evanston Military Band welcomed them. Local merchants hosted a dinner for the winners at the Avenue House hotel. To win the competition, they had to drive a team of horses 1/3 of a mile, unroll 150 feet of hose, connect it to a hydrant, and spray water—all in just 18.2 seconds. They took home a $75 prize, and Bob and Dan received extra oats for their hard work.
The Evanston Firemen’s Benevolent Association (EFBA) was officially chartered in Illinois on November 5, 1902. For over a decade, until the Firemen’s Pension Fund was fully funded in 1915, the EFBA provided critical support to injured firefighters and the families of those who died in the line of duty. Each December, the association held benefit shows, usually vaudeville acts, musicals, or plays. The first show in 1902 featured the classic silent film *The Life of an American Fireman*, and the last in 1912 was a play called *The Still Alarm*, which included several local firefighters and two beloved horses, “Sharkey†and “Buttons.†Notably, “Buttons†could bite off buttons from clothing and even turn on a faucet by himself during the performance.
Starting in 1903, the City of Evanston began offering life insurance to each firefighter. This policy provided $5 per month in case of disability or illness, and a $1,000 payout to survivors in the event of death. During this time, the EFD more than doubled in size, growing from 14 men in 1900 to 28 by 1904. The number of horses also increased from eight to 16, as the department expanded into three modern fire stations, operating one engine company, two truck companies, and one hose company.
February 15, 1903, marked a significant milestone for the Evanston Fire Department:
- The new $6,000 Fire Station #2 at 750 Chicago Avenue opened with three bays.
- Manpower at Station #2 was increased from three to six, including a captain, a lieutenant, and four firemen. Hose Company 2 was reorganized into Truck Company 2.
- A Seagrave combination truck, which served as both a hook-and-ladder and a chemical engine, was placed in service at Station #2.
- Engine Company 1 was split into two units, with Truck Company 1 established at Fire Station #1.
- Engine Company 1 was staffed with a captain, lieutenant, engineer, assistant engineer, and five firemen, while Truck Company 1 had a captain, lieutenant, and four firemen. Engine Company 1 operated with an Ahrens steamer and a hose wagon, and Truck Company 1 used a Davenport H&L and a Babcock chemical engine.
- George Hargreaves was promoted to captain, joining Jack Sweeting, Carl Harms, and Carl Harrison as the department’s four company officers. Albert Hofstetter, Thomas Norman, and John Watson were promoted to lieutenant.
Only Hose Company 3 at Fire Station #3 remained a three-man unit until 1912, with a captain and two firemen operating a four-wheeled, two-axle hose wagon. Every EFD vehicle, including the steamers, H&Ls, chemical engines, combination trucks, hose wagons, and the chief’s buggy, was pulled by a two-horse hitch.
Truck Company 1 quickly gained a reputation as the “bad boys†of the department. In 1904, one member was fired for insubordination, and three others were dismissed after being caught drinking alcohol on duty. Another was suspended, though he claimed he had only drunk at home before reporting for work and insisted he would never drink while on duty.
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