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 Early Plymouth history is dotted with accounts of devastating fires which swept the business area of the town. One of the worst occurred March 22, 1857. Beginning on the east side of Michigan Street in the early hours of morning, the blaze swept the entire block. A strong northeast wind carried the fire to the west side of the street, leveling all the buildings on that side also, except for the Horace Corbin residence. The citizens of the town struggled to save store merchandise removed from the burning buildings and piled in the street center, but when the fire swept across Michigan Street, all was destroyed.
Not even a bucket brigade had ever been organized by the townspeople. All buildings were of wood and the only water available for fire fighting was what could be drawn from private wells, cisterns or the river.
Four-fifths of the business district lay in ruins by morning with a loss estimated at $70,000, nearly all uninsured. Describing the scene in a newspaper account of the disaster, a reporter writes, "Our town is now in ashes -- desolation reigns supreme, and our once thriving and beautiful village presents a sorrowful appearance. But we trust that the energy and enterprise which has ever characterized the business men of this place will import to our town the cheerful appearance of former days."
The "energy and enterprise" of the town's businessmen did prevail and the businesses were rebuilt. However, on January 3, 1866, the block between Laporte and Garro Streets was devastated by the loss of eleven business establishments to fire.
Following the fire of 1857, is was nearly a year before we find a record of the formation of the first volunteer organization of fire fighters. On February 28, 1858 the Protection Hook and Ladder Company filed its constitution with the clerk's office. Plymouth's leading citizens were enrolled as firemen, trying to preserve the community they were creating. Jacob B. Klinger was foreman of the group with Stephen Francis as assistant, William Shirley, treasurer and Daniel McDonald secretary. Total membership was 57 townsmen. Members were to procure "a black, glazed cap, a red woolen 'warmus' with a black velvet collar and cuffs and a black leather belt" as a uniform. A bucket brigade was also organized as a part of the group.
A two-story frame building for the use of the company was built on the river bank on Adams Street. The upper story was used for meetings of the volunteers and the lower floor was used for equipment storage. The company later moved to the Dawes wagon shop on the south side of Michigan Street.
Ironically, early fire department records were destroyed in the January 3, 1866 fire which leveled LaPorte Street, but it is known that two other fire companies had been organized by volunteers. The Adriatic Engine Company and the Torrent Hose Company were formed December 8, 1865, just days prior to the fire. With the organization of these companies the Hook and Ladder Company had to take a back seat, but it was the first organization for the protection of property against fire and is entitled to special recognition.
The City Hall and Engine Building, was completed late in 1875. Built by Robert McCance and W.P. Beaton as contractors, the building cost $4,200. Alfred Morrison, Platt McDonald and W. D. Thompson supervised the construction for the city. The original building was 34 feet wide and fifty feet long, with brick walls thirty five feet high and eighteen inches thick to the second story with twelve inch thick walls from there to the roof. The hose and bell tower was nine feet square and fifty nine feet high.
The first floor consisted of one large room in which the fire fighting equipment was kept. Listed as equipment owned by the department at that time was one hand engine, one hose cart, hose and the hooks and ladders.
The first fire engine was purchased sometime between 1863 and 1868 and was, from all indications a "side stroke" engine. Five or six men to a side, pumping up and down vigorously were able to produce a respectable, pulsating stream of water, procured from a cistern or the river. "Hooks" were long pike poles, usually with a pointed end as well as a hooked end. They were used for pulling down buildings in an attempt to smother fire and keep it from spreading.
The upper story of the new building had two rooms, one for the use of the fire department and the other used as a city council chamber and the Mayor's office. The building was described as being "large enough for the city to use for many years to come", and so it has been.
Possession of the building was taken by the city on February 21, 1876 and the dedication was marked with a grand ball, proceeds of which were $165.00. The volunteers had been staging balls for some time prior to this dedication ball for an early reference to one in January of 1868 noted receipts of $80.40. The annual Fireman's Ball continues still, each year being held in February for the benefit of the Fire Department.
The problem of a dependable source of water for fire fighting was solved by the Plymouth City fathers when a series of brick-lined cisterns were constructed at convenient points in the business and residential areas of the town. The driver of the sprinkling wagon, used in the summer to lay the dust of the unpaved streets, was charged with seeing that the cisterns were kept full at all times. Water was also pumped from the Yellow River if fire occurred near enough for the hose to reach it. The installation of the city water works system finally replaced this antiquated method of a water supply.
The Plymouth volunteer firemen often entertained an exciting contest between themselves and the fire companies from nearby towns. Coveted prizes and trophies, not to mention great civic honor, were vied for in these tournaments. Festivities of the tournaments opened with a parade, headed by the Plymouth brigade. Consisting of the contesting companies, town bands, the local fire-fighting equipment, and assorted small boys that such events always attract, set the mood for the contest.
Hose cart companies would make their run in a given number of blocks as laid out by the contest committee. At the end of the run the members would unreel the hose, attach it to a hydrant, screw on the nozzle, turn on the water and exhibit a shooting stream of water. The team requiring the least amount of time for the operations became the reigning champions. Likewise, the hook and ladder companies made a prescribed run, withdrew the ladder from their cart, swung it upright, braced by the company members. The most agile volunteer climbed the ladder's rungs, swung one foot over the topmost step and waved his right hand to signify completion of the event. Again, the shortest expired time determined the winning group. Often these contests were followed by a huge picnic for all the competing companies.
At one time Plymouth had a juvenile hook and ladder company. Its outfit was smaller in size and length than it regulation counterpart. Occasionally it would enter tournaments on a non-competing basis. Ladder "monkey" for that group was Frank Ellis.
As new equipment was added to the fire department it became necessary to use horse drawn vehicles to transport it. It has not been determined if horses were ever owned by the city. It appears that local stable owners provided the horses instead, with the first team answering an alarm being awarded a fee. Stables were nearby, one being across the street on the WTCA building site and one further east on Washington Street. The station floor was designed with grooves in it to provide traction for the horses as they raced to answer an alarm.
Equipment was sparse. The Wide Awake Hose Company #2, in 1883, purchased a hose cart for $160.00. Both the hose cart and the receipt are stored at the current fire station Other artifacts which have been refurbished, include the large alarm bell mounted just to the north of the station. There are also several roster pictures from over the years and pieces of antique equipment on display in the current fire station.
In 1905, the department presented a "solid gold honor badge, weighing 22 penny-weights" to their honored chief, Fred H. Kuhn. Kuhn had served as a volunteer of the Wide Awake Company since its organization in 1883 and at the age of 26 became chief of the department. He was described as "riding a horse with a stirrup gong" in order to reach the scene of a fire quickly.
In May of 1912 the city council passed a resolution to purchase Plymouth's first motorized fire vehicle. Council members Farmweld, Bergman and McCrory were appointed to make the purchase of a hose and chemical wagon. It was noted that "the fire department had received little attention by the city government for may years." During that same meeting it was decided to also install a Gamewell Fire Alarm System, the town's first automatic alarm method.
In June of that year the truck purchase committee reported that they had agreed to buy a Seagrave chemical truck for $5,000. It was to be delivered by October 1, 1912.
By August 22 the installation of the alarm system was completed. Twenty alarm boxes were placed in the town's area and residents were often given instructions in the use of the boxes. They were advised to break the box glass, pull down and then release the lever. They were also advised to stay at the box to direct those answering the alarm to the fire. In October the Council made it a misdemeanor to hitch a horse to the box pole, with a fine of from $5 to $50 on conviction! Minnie Swindell Harris Norris became the first woman to try the system when she was stopped, while passing by, during the initial testing period.
Delivery of the new Seagrave truck was delayed until November 11, 1912. Shipped by rail from Columbus, Ohio, it was equipped with a 50 gallon chemical tank, special hose and a large variety of firefighting tools. Housing a 4-cylinder engine, the truck was described as "very powerful, with 60 or 70 horse power." The wheels, dual in the rear, used solid tires and was expected to traverse all mud or snow conditions without difficulty. The Weekly Republican of November 14, 1912, in describing the truck's arrival, stated "When the truck was run down LaPorte Street, with the horn sounding the signals, everybody was out to see the new truck and exclaim 'It's a peach'!"
Since the delivery of that Seagrave truck, the Plymouth Fire Department has purchased and replaced many engines, trucks, pumpers. The department was staffed by all volunteers rushing from their homes or businesses whenever the alarm rang. In the 1950's several retired businessmen and volunteer firefighters took turns working as drivers for the fire department. On the nights that they were on duty, they would sleep in a room above Bergman's cleaners, just across the alley from the fire station.
In 1964 the City of Plymouth put on 3 paid drivers. These men, Les Bunn, Al Kriscunas and Ernie Webster were the first full time firefighters in Plymouth. They worked a 24 hour shift and were off for 48 hours. In 1965 the roster of full time firefighters changed to include Eddie Wright, Elmer Emond and Al Kriscunas. In 1970 the full time staff increased to include 3 more full time firefighters - Lowell Kline, Larry Starr, and Jerry McCann. This would put two men on duty at a time. They still worked, and still to this day work, 24 hour shifts with 48 hours off.
In 1970, the "pride of the fleet" was an American-LaFrance pumper equipped with an 80 foot snorkel, delivered to the City in November of 1971 and costing around $72,000. At that time the six pieces of equipment were manned by 6 full time personnel and 20 volunteers.
The brick station built in 1876 had served the department well. The old station house was not only a fire station, but had, at one time, been the center of life for the City of Plymouth. It was a place were decisions were made and rescues were initiated. However, Plymouth Fire Department outgrew the building and in 1970 they moved to the old Coca-cola Bottling Company, totally renovated to hold 3 engines, the snorkel, a grass truck, and a tanker. The old station house was relegated to Plymouth Ambulance Service. The upstairs served as a bunk room for the EMTs who also worked 24 hour shifts and a classroom/meeting room.
The Ambulance Service used the building until 1990 when the "new" Fire Station was remodeled and an addition added. Now both the fire department and the ambulance service are housed in the same building. But the "old" Fire Station still stands. In 1995, after a complete restoration to its original state, the building now houses the Marshall County Convention and Tourism Commission, Marshall County Blueberry Festival Office, the Plymouth Arts Commission and the Human Resources Director for the City of Plymouth.
The present Plymouth Fire Department is located on Center Street a block south of the Old Fire Station. It provides coverage for the city as well as Center and West Townships. There are seven full time paid firemen and 35 volunteers, according to Chief John Brown, who was appointed Chief on January 1st 2000. Last year the Plymouth Fire Department responded to 550 calls. There are 11 pieces of fire equipment. John Brown is also head of the Emergency Medical Service which has six full-time paramedics and 18 volunteers. There are three ambulances and an EMS rescue unit that last year responded to 1710 calls.
On September 1, 2003, Chief John Brown lost a courageous battle to cancer. Then Assistant Chief George Cook was appointed interim Chief. With the election of Gary Cook as Mayor of the City of Plymouth,George Cook was appointed Chief of the Department and was sworn in,January 1st, 2004 |
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