This from Bill Friedrich:
Prior to Engine 104’s station being closed these were the last suppression companies to run out of there 24×7. Michigan Avenue was not a very busy street on the weekends. After closing the station, Engine 104 was assigned to Engine 1’s house and 4-2-4 was assigned to Engine 26’s house. A very sad day for this old fire station.Bill Friedrich
CFD Command Bus 4-7-4 1955 Flxible Bus (X-CTA) Shop ID#G-382. Bill Friedrich photo
Former Chicago FD Engine 104, 1974 Mack MB/Howe 1250/500. Bill Friedrich photo
CFD Engine 104’s quarters at 1401 S. Michigan Avenue. Bill Friedrich photo
#1 by Bill Post on December 11, 2014 - 10:16 AM
One thing that I had overlooked as I had given the dates that most of the primary companies were moved out is that I had inadvertently left out that it was opened on September 28 1906, however the company that intially was put in service was “Chemical Engine 31”. Truck 31 was put in service on October 9th 1906 and Engine 104 replaced Chemical Engine 31 on December 31st 1906.
“Chemical Engines” were something like a booster pumper which had in effect a large soda acid or “chemical tank” which had forced the water out of the booster tank. In effect it was similar to having giant Soda Acid Extinguisher on Wheels. The “Chemical” created a Chemical reaction to force out the water from the booster tank.
#2 by Crabby Milton on December 11, 2014 - 5:45 AM
Thanks for the interesting history lesson and for posting that picture of the bus. (That’s my other “hobby”)
#3 by Bill Post on December 11, 2014 - 2:30 AM
This old fire station was actually one of the largest in the city as for a good part of it’s career it housed 4 in service companies. It was the quarters of Engine 104 until February 1st 1985
Truck 31 until March 9 1970
Water Tower 3 from December 16th 1928 until June 9th 1959
High Pressure Wagon 3 from May 14th 1931 until March 27th 1963.
Truck 31 was using a Tillered Aerial Ladder Truck and the Water Tower 3 had a long front over hand ,so they really had to squeeze the rigs inside the station.
The Station also housed Squad company 8 from November 16th 1963 until February 8th 1968.
Snorkel 4 from March 9th 1970 until June 1st 1972.
Chemical 3 which was a rebuilt 1953 FWD pumper converted into a Chemical unit with a Foam Turret was put in service there from Sept 10 1975 until Nov 23rd 1978.
The Communications Van which was originally designated as 424 and later changed to 271 was located there from November 23rd 1978 until April 1st 1984.
The Mask Service unit was located there from the Spring of 1982 until the Spring of 1986.
Turret Wagon 675 was also there from August 11th 1981 until February 1st 1982. When 675 was located there they were using the 1978 Mack Large Turret Wagon which was later designated as 671 when the special purpose units (turrets ,light wagons etc)were renumbered for the Fire districts that they were located in.
There were other units that had been located there over the years as well , some for only a few months to a few years.
#4 by Bill Post on December 11, 2014 - 1:25 AM
Engine 104 moved out on February 1st 1985, however the fire department was still using the building for the Office of FIre Investigations until 1992 and the photo unit continued to use the station until March 31 1999.
The Scuba unit was also using the station during the later half of the 1990’s as well.
#5 by Michael M on December 11, 2014 - 12:32 AM
When did Engine 104 move out of that fire station?