Evanston Fire Department history Part 33

2025-09-27 03:04:32

From Phil Stenholm:

Another part of the History of the Evanston Fire Department.

BOLTWOOD

On a quiet Sunday afternoon, January 9, 1927, at 1 PM, a young boy scout named LeRoy Kreutzer spotted smoke rising from the Boltwood Intermediate School, located at the southeast corner of Dempster and Elmwood. At the time, Boltwood was not only Evanston’s only junior high school but also the headquarters for the local Boy Scouts of America chapter. The building had previously served as Evanston Township High School for 40 years until the new ETHS campus opened in 1924 on Church and Dodge.
 
Kreutzer immediately pulled fire alarm box #313 at Dempster and Elmwood, then rushed to the home of EFD Chief Albert Hofstetter on Sherman Avenue to wake him from his nap. Upon arriving at the scene, Chief Hofstetter met with firefighters from Station #1, where it quickly became clear that the fire was confined to a manual arts classroom in the basement. Despite being limited to one room, the fire spread rapidly due to thick smoke, making it difficult for crews to reach the source.
 
Firefighters managed to rescue a monkey and several white mice from the science lab, but efforts to ventilate the building were hampered by a sudden gust of wind that fanned the flames. The fire roared up an interior stairway and burst through second-floor windows, spreading quickly and threatening nearby homes and businesses.

As the situation escalated, a “General Alarm” was called, and both on-duty and off-duty firefighters were ordered to respond. With the fire now out of control, there was a real fear that it could spread across the alley and threaten homes—including Chief Hofstetter’s own—and the entire Dempster Street business district. Two firefighters narrowly escaped when part of the roof collapsed, prompting the chief to order a defensive operation and evacuate all personnel inside.

Realizing the scale of the disaster, Chief Hofstetter reached out to the Chicago Fire Department for help. This was not the first time they had assisted Evanston, but this time, the response was far more significant. With 1st Assistant Chief Jerry McAuliffe leading the effort, Chicago sent six engine companies, two truck companies, a high-pressure wagon, and a water tower—far more than ever before.

The chaos caused by the massive number of fire trucks and spectators led to at least two traffic accidents. At the peak of the fire, engines were pumping water from hydrants within a six-block radius. An estimated 20,000 people—nearly a third of Evanston’s population at the time—gathered to watch the destruction. Local police officers were called in to manage the crowds and traffic.

Thanks to the coordinated efforts of both the Evanston and Chicago fire departments, the fire was eventually brought under control. While Boltwood School was completely destroyed, the surrounding homes and businesses were saved. Three firefighters suffered minor injuries, and the damage totaled $308,500—the largest loss in Evanston’s history up to that point.

In the aftermath, the city council launched an investigation into the performance of the Evanston Fire Department. They found that the department was ill-prepared for such a large-scale incident. It was essentially a small-town fire service operating in a city of 60,000 people, lacking sufficient staffing, equipment, and water pressure to handle emergencies of this magnitude.

To address these issues, Evanston voters approved a $75,000 bond issue in April 1927. The funds led to major improvements, including:

  • 20 additional firefighters (eventually 23) hired within a year
  • The construction of a fourth fire station
  • The formation of two new engine companies
  • Purchase of two 1,000-GPM pumpers
  • The acquisition of a portable high-pressure turret nozzle
  • The establishment of a Fire Prevention Bureau

These changes marked a turning point for the Evanston Fire Department, setting the stage for future growth and improved public safety.

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