In the early twentieth century, some of my ancestors were firefighters in the Sault. Going through some old papers, I have found bits and pieces of firefighting history from our area. As with anything over 100 years old, things aren’t always in the best shape. Books, papers, and photos tear and fade over time. I have tried to keep the integrity of the work, and I hope I have done the recopying of this work justice. The font in my papers is tiny; this hasn’t been an easy task for someone with eye issues. I have decided to share this information in articles over the next few weeks. The articles I will present are not my words, and unfortunately, I cannot attest to who wrote the pieces. The pieces of work that I have do not reveal the author, but it is assumed it was the Sault Firefighters as a collective. The Eastern Upper Peninsula is rich in history. I hope that by sharing this information about the Sault, you will have a deeper and greater respect for our past and present firefighters. This information was compiled before July 1921. – Laurie Davis
Part Three: The Soo’s Fire Protection
In the early days of the city or rather the village, fears of fires and a more or less realization of the fears caused consideration to be given to the matter of fire protection. As a result, the village council took definite action toward the establishing of a firefighting apparatus on November 15, 1881. The committee in charge of the proposition brought about the purchase of sufficient hose and a fire engine. With the coming of this engine, the department for the first time, became what was considered in those days, an efficient fire organization, under the direction of J. A. Cook, as Chief Engineer, and A. McKechnie as fireman and 2nd Engineer.
The first fire department of the Soo was organized on February 12th, 1882, and the fire hall was located on Kemp’s Dock, now known as the government dock at the foot of Ashmun Street, but then known as the Plank Alley and barely held the fire equipment. The Soo at that time being a little more than a hamlet – the first Chief being Alex McDonald.
After several years of service to the city, the fire hall was removed from this location to a more central location on Ashmun Street, where now stands the city hall. A reorganization of the department took place in 1886, at which time uniforms were issued and more fire equipment added, in the way of a fire team and hook and ladder cart. They remained in this home up to the time of the completion of the present up-to-date fire hall on Ridge Street in 1907.
The first real test of this department came in the summer of 1886, when the first big fire took place on Water Street which did thousands of dollars of destruction. The blaze swept several business blocks on Water Street and several on Portage Avenue but was extinguished by the gallant fighting of our early fire laddies. The loss in this fire was estimated at $150,000.
The next big fire of any consequence occurred in August 1896, just ten years after the first fire, and this also occurred on Water Street, originating in a restaurant. The flames rapidly spread the entire length of the street on both sides and swept everything before it, as at the time a heavy gale was in progress. Water Street, at this time, was the principal part of the town and was never rebuilt. The loss was estimated at $250,000.
Other large fires were – First National Bank, January 15, 1892.
Blunrosen Block, July 12, 1908, complete destruction.
High School, May 15, 1920, completely gutted.
Portage Avenue Bridge, November 10. 1920.
Names Of Firefighters In Picture
Top Row Left to Right
A. Follis, H. Whitehead, A. Lavender, Captain Williams, G. Teeter, J. McKechnie, C. Earl
Middle Row
G. Bushman, E. Bassett, F. Trombly (Secretary,) F. Bassett, (Chief,) G. Laurie (Treasurer,) F. Rye, M. McCaffery
Last Row
R. Kundering, H. Gilbert, J. MacLean (1st Engineer,) Wm. Brown (Driver,)
W. Fraser (2nd Engineer,) N. MacLean, A. Harwood
Left Side
G. Teeter (Assistant Foreman)
Right Side
A. Lavender (Foreman)
In Memoriam
Thos. Campbell, Edw. Langley, Jno. Fraser, Cecil Van Wyck, Dunc. Stanley, Ed. Campbell, W.G. Van Wyck, Alex McDonald.
Some Old Timers
L. Belanger, D. Clark, M. Richardson, A. McKechnie, J. Bone, R. Crigg, P. Busho, F. Lemon, J.L. Linsett, J.F. Deadman, T. Langley, J. Linke, Alex Ross, W. Royce, R. McDonald, Otto Supe, J.A. Colwell, Alex McDonald, Jas. Eagle, Jno. Fraser, A. Short, J.F. Van Wyck, D. McGregor, G. Weltz.
These old timers composed the early fighting units of the Soo Fire Department and were a fearless body of firefighters. Their equipment was the early paraphernalia of firefighters and many homes and business blocks have been saved by these gallant fire laddies of the early days.
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