This is from a reader:
I was looking to find the history of Truck 2 which used to be at 540 W. Washington. I remember going there when I was a little girl with my father and would like to know more about that fire house. I did find a picture on your website of the front of the fire house and it really brought back memories.
Thanks in advance for pointing me in the right direction.
Patty
#1 by Bill Post on May 4, 2014 - 10:27 PM
Here is some basic information on Truck 2’s old house. It was built in 1874 and was originally the quarters of “Chemical Engine 1”. A chemical Engine in those days was basically large fire “soda acid ” type of fire extinguisher on wheels. It was closest thing that the CFD had to a self contained booster Engine and when the “Chemical” or soda acid type of concoction was mixed with the water it created a “chemical reaction” that forced the solution out of a small diameter hose similar to a large fire extinguisher.
Truck 2 didn’t move into the station until around 1888 from Engine 5’s original quarters at 326 South Jefferson. Chemical Engine 1 was taken out of service.
Over the years there were various Battalions Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs and Division Chiefs that had also been assigned to the station.. Most of them were eventually relocated to other stations or were taken out of service as the fire department had several management reorganizations at different times. Division 1 was put in service at Truck 2 on August 21st 1929 when 6 new fire Divisions were organized.. A 7th Division was organized in 1953 (but that’s beside the point). In another major management reorganization the 7 Fire Divisions were reorganized into 5 new Fire Districts on April 11 1980 Division 1 became new District 1 and about a month later on May 15th they were relocated to Engine 42’s quarters at 55 W Illinois street.
On December 31st 1980 Truck 2 was relocated to Engine 5’s house at 324 south Des Plaines because the floor in Truck 2’s house on Washington was giving in and had to be reenforced. The city had structural engineers attempt to strengthen the floor and about a week later on January the 7th 1981 they brought Truck 2 back to it’s quarters on Washington however the floor still couldn’t reliably support the weight of the Truck so Truck 2 was permanently relocated to Engine 5 on Des Plaines and the house at 540 West Washington was closed for good.
An interesting thing about Truck 2’s old station is that there were several other nearby fire stations that were within easy walking distance to Truck 2’s house and they lasted into the 1960’s.
Engine 17’s station was located about a block (2 streets north) of Truck 2’s house at 558 W Lake street and they were taken out of service on January 16, 1968. Engine 40, Truck 6 and Squad 1 (at the time ) were located at 119 N Franklin street which was not more then 3 blocks east of Truck 2’s house and they were closed on August 1st 1963.
Truck 2’s house was actually recommended to be closed over 10 years earlier (in 1969) by the Chicago Fire Departments hired consultant who had recommended that a new station be built for Engine 97 on the far south side (in Hegewisch) and that Truck 2 be relocated there and that Truck 39 be relocated from their old station at 25 S Laflin (Engine 103’s current quarters) to Engine 5’s house.
Truck 39 was temporarily taken out of service instead, until they moved into Engine 123’s new quarters in 1974 and Engine 97 is still located in their small old station in Hegewisch ( 13359 S Burley) that was built in 1927.
#2 by Andy on May 4, 2014 - 5:20 PM
I too remember going there with my Dad to pick up his check if he wanted to get it on an off day. He was on E5 and T2 was where the division marshal who had the checks was housed. Looking forward to whatever history/pics you guys pull out.
#3 by Bill Kugelman on May 4, 2014 - 3:13 PM
Patty, I will pass this on to our historians at the Museum.