Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
FIRE DEPARTMENT: Difference between revisions
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In January, 1850, Dubuque was without a fire department of any kind. | In January, 1850, Dubuque was without a fire department of any kind. | ||
When a building takes fire here, as was the case | |||
with the Goodrich building, everyone runs toward | |||
the scene, anxious to assist in subduing the destructive | |||
element; but what avails an unorganized set of men and | |||
boys without apparatus of any kind whatever — without an | |||
Express, January 16, 1850 (1) | engine, buckets or hose? | ||
''Express'', January 16, 1850 (1) | |||
A well ten feet in diameter was dug on Tenth street between Jackson and Washington for the use of the fire department, in November, 1860. It was thought the well would be better than cisterns. (2) S. S. Palmer was chosen chief engineer of the fire department on December 3, 1860. (3) | A well ten feet in diameter was dug on Tenth street between Jackson and Washington for the use of the fire department, in November, 1860. It was thought the well would be better than cisterns. (2) S. S. Palmer was chosen chief engineer of the fire department on December 3, 1860. (3) | ||
Revision as of 22:44, 10 March 2017
FIRE DEPARTMENT. We encourage you to visit William K. Hammil's website at http://www.dfdhistory.com
In January, 1850, Dubuque was without a fire department of any kind.
When a building takes fire here, as was the case
with the Goodrich building, everyone runs toward
the scene, anxious to assist in subduing the destructive
element; but what avails an unorganized set of men and
boys without apparatus of any kind whatever — without an
engine, buckets or hose?
Express, January 16, 1850 (1)
A well ten feet in diameter was dug on Tenth street between Jackson and Washington for the use of the fire department, in November, 1860. It was thought the well would be better than cisterns. (2) S. S. Palmer was chosen chief engineer of the fire department on December 3, 1860. (3)
In 1869 the fire department consisted of two steam engines, three hose carts, one hose carriage, sixteen men, eight horses, 4,500 feet of rubber hose, two hand engines — Washington No. 1 and Protection No. 2 — an old hook and ladder truck and three or four ladders; public cisterns supplied water. (4) The expenses of the city for the fiscal year 1870-71 included $7,580.93 for the fire department fire department. (5) In 1870 during the fire at the DUBUQUE ENAMELING AND STAMPING WORKS, the hand engines became frozen. Fortunately, the city had just received its steam engines which were put to work for the first time preventing much more loss of property. (6)
In 1883-84 the fire department was fully established on a paid and permanent basis. (7) In 1885-86 the fire department cost $15,811.51. (8)
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Source:
1. Goodspeed, Arthur Weston. History of Dubuque County, Iowa. Chicago, Goodspeed Historical Association, p. 87
2. Ibid., p. 135
3. Ibid., p. 136
4. Ibid., p. 165
5. Ibid., p. 170
6. Oldt, Franklin T. History of Dubuque County, Iowa. Chicago: Goodspeed Historical Association, p. 827
6. Goodspeed, p. 185
7. Ibid., p. 187