Do You Know the Story Behind this Garage?

During its first few years, the Village of Western Springs learned just how dangerous fire could be. In 1891, the town’s first train station, a frame building located near Wolf Road, caught fire. Despite a “bucket brigade” comprised of local citizens, the train station burned to the ground. And, two years later, the local bakery caught fire. Fortunately, the Hinsdale Fire Department responded, but billed the Village $25 for their services.

Perhaps in response to these incidents, the Village Board ordered a $75 hand-drawn hose cart, similar to that shown in the second photo. And, once automobiles began replacing horses around 1915, it was frequently pulled by an auto.

The Village Board also ordered $450 in equipment such as fire hose, uniforms, helmets and tools. And, they recruited a volunteer fire department consisting of 9 firefighters and a chief. Volunteers were paid $2 per call. But, now they needed a place to store the new hose cart.

Initially, it was kept in a barn at 4318 Grand. But, since the owner charged $5 a month for storage, in 1901 the Village purchased land on Walnut, halfway between Grand and Lawn avenues and appropriated $500 to build a firehouse. It would also have a small back room that would serve as the Village jail.

In 1922, the Village decided to move the fire house to the west side of Wolf Road, near what is now the Davanti restaurant. Eventually, the Village bought property across the street for $531 and moved the building again to what is now the police department’s parking lot.

But, the old station’s days were numbered. In 1924, the Village acquired its first motorized fire apparatus, an International-Buffalo pumper truck, which would require a much larger garage. So, in 1927, the Board approved construction of a new brick fire station. It cost $4,200 and measured 24 feet by 39 feet, not much larger than some of today’s residential garages! Third Photo.

As for the first fire station, it was used briefly as a tool storage shed before being torn down in 1927. But, one of the building’s beautiful decorative cornices was saved. It can be viewed at the Tower Museum any Saturday between 10 a.m. and noon.

Photo Captions:

First Fire Station – circa 1900

Hand-drawn cart similar to village’s first apparatus

“New” Fire Station - circa 1943

Each week, the Western Springs Historical Society presents a “Blast from the Past”. To view prior stories, visit us at www.westernspringshistory.org or just click on the author’s name shown above.