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Evanston Fire Department history – Part 2
The history of the Evanston Fire Department has always fascinated me, especially the early days when everything was so different. Phil Stenholm shared some incredible details about those times, which really bring the past to life.
One memorable incident happened on May 2, 1875, when the EFD rushed to a fire at the First Presbyterian Church located at Lake and Chicago. Even though the firefighters arrived quickly, the building was lost largely due to a miscommunication mishap. Firefighters mistakenly thought they heard an acknowledgment from the Waterworks engineer when in fact it was just a train whistle from the nearby C&NW RR. By the time a rider was dispatched on horseback to confirm the situation, it was too late— the church had already burned down.
In response to this tragic event, a telegraph link was soon set up between the village hall and the Waterworks. While communication improved over time—eventually switching to telephones in the 1880s—theé—憾 continued. The EFD still faced instances where poor communication led to similar outcomes. Interestingly, the First Presbyterian Church was rebuilt on the same spot, only to suffer another devastating fire in February 1894.
The Evanston Fire Department was officially established through an ordinance on May 25, 1875, taking effect on May 29 after publication in the local paper. However, the origins of the department go back further to January 7, 1873, when the Village Board accepted the Pioneer Fire Company into service.
The C.J. Gilbert Hose Company began operations in January 1875 and after six months of assessment, was formally accepted by the village board in August 1875. This marked the beginning of Evanston’s two-volunteer-hose-company system. The Pioneer and Gilbert companies each received hand-drawn hose carts, along with 1,000 feet of 2.5-inch hose, nozzles, and various tools. William Gamble, leader of the Gilberts, served as Fire Marshal from November 1876 to May 1878, while W.R. “Bob†Bailey, head of the Pioneers, held the same position from May 1878 to July 1883.
From January 1875 to April 1881, the department consisted solely of these two volunteer hose companies. All equipment belonged to the village, and meetings were held on the first floor of the village hall. Each group hosted its annual Firemen's Ball, with the Pioneers celebrating on St. Patrick's Day and the Gilberts on New Year's Eve.
Leadership roles included the foreman, first assistant foreman, second assistant foreman, third assistant foreman, secretary, and treasurer—all elected annually by members. New recruits required unanimous approval from existing members, most of whom were local merchants or their staff.
The Pioneer Hose Company, No. 1, was known statewide for excellence and frequently participated in fire competitions. Their uniforms were striking, featuring navy blue caps, red flannel shirts with black trim and a number "1" emblem, and black belts with white edges. They typically chose the best new equipment and often had their leader appointed as Fire Marshal. On the flip side, the Gilberts were seen as less formal and less competitive, often viewed as the "poorer cousins."
Friendly rivalry existed between the two groups, who loved to drench each other with water after fires. They also raced to be first on the scene and extinguish blazes. Unfortunately, the Village Board sometimes favored one company over the other, causing tensions. For example, after significant fires in early 1879, both companies requested better gear and clothing. Although some items were provided, the distribution was uneven, favoring the Pioneers.
The final straw came on May 23, 1881, when both companies resigned en masse, signaling the end of volunteer firefighting in Evanston. These stories remind us how far firefighting has come, yet the spirit of camaraderie and dedication remains unchanged.
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