This from Andrew McCullough:
This is a scan of one of my father’s slides. He was engineer on E5 at the time. The engine is a 1969 Seagrave 1500 GPM. It was close to new here, so this must be 1969-70.Location is E5’s quarters 324 S Desplaines St. Photo by the late John McCullough.
John McCullough photo
#1 by Austin on January 4, 2024 - 11:06 PM
What a great shot. Such a great looking engine, plus also cool that both buildings in the background still exist. It would be neat to redo the photo in that spot, but with the current engine.
#2 by Bill Post on January 4, 2024 - 3:24 PM
Thanks for sending that Great shot of Engine 5’s Seagrave Andrew.
I remember when they ran with it and as you know that was one of the classiest rigs in Chicago. It really stood out and it was the first Chicago Engine that was officially rated at 1,500 gallons per minute. It didn’t stay long at Engine 5 however as about 3 years later they were replaced with a newer American La France 2000 gpm Engine and the Seagrave was reassigned to Engine 104 which located into another One of Kind classy fire station at 14th Michigan.
At the time Engine 5’s Seagrave was assigned to them there were 2 other Seagraves that were assigned to the Loop area. One of them was assigned to Engine 1 which was located about 3 quarters of a mile east of Engine 5 , with a 1,000 gpm Seagreave and the third one was assigned to Engine 42 with a 1,250 gpm pump and what was called by Seagrave a “Cincinnati Cab” which was built by Truck Cab Manufacturers from Cincinnati with a cab that was wider than most other cabs which you could tell the difference comparing it to Engine 5 and Engine 1s cabs.
Engine 5’s house was always an interesting station and its in a great place from where to get around the city as it is within 2 blocks for the famous “Spaghetti bowl” Interchange.
#3 by crabbymilton on January 4, 2024 - 1:20 PM
Great shot!!! Would be nice if CFD would return to SEAGRAVE but there’s no use holding your breath.