This from Mike Summa for #TBT:
For TBT-Two views of the BIFD. The first taken in October 1907. Looking west on Vermont St. in front of the fire station. The second taken in 1976 looking east. Photos courtesy of Blue Island Historical Society.Mike Summa
From the Blue Island Historical Society
From the Blue Island Historical Society
This from Mike Summa:
For #TBT. Fire at the Lyric Theater in Blue Island, February 14th, 1960. Sunday afternoon matinee filled with children watching a movie. The building was evacuated and the only loss was the building. Today, this would have been a box alarm with multiple companies attending and change of quarters. Back then it was handled solely by Blue Island. How times have changed. Photos courtesy Blue Island Historical Society.Mike Summa
Fire at the Lyric Theater in Blue Island, February 14th, 1960. From the Blue Island Historical Society
Fire at the Lyric Theater in Blue Island, February 14th, 1960. From the Blue Island Historical Society
Fire at the Lyric Theater in Blue Island, February 14th, 1960. From the Blue Island Historical Society
The Blue Island Fire Department Museum was conceived by Blue Islander Joe Dinovo and is being supported by the City of Blue Island, the family of Matthew O’Callaghan, BIHS, and a number of other volunteers and donors. Its purpose will be to educate the public on the history of our fire department and on fire safety and prevention, and it will house one of the coolest artifacts we’ve seen anywhere – Old Bess, a 1925 Seagrave fire engine that was purchased brand-new by the city of Blue Island. The rendering you see below was created by Blue Island’s Ken Jellema, who’s also lent his services to our other project. It’s likely that this design will change slightly before this building’s construction, but, we’re so excited about the progress so far!
These projects are going to take years to complete, but with the support we’re used to in this community, we believe that it’s only a matter of time until you see them come to fruition.
To support these initiatives and more, become a member of the Blue Island Historical Society:
Rendering by Ken Jellema
Blue Island Historical Society photo
For the finest department portraits and composites contact Tim Olk or Larry Shapiro.
