Evanston Fire Department history – Part 10

The Dawn of a New Era

For decades, the residents of South Evanston had felt overlooked and underrepresented in the bustling city of Evanston. Their concerns grew louder when the Village of South Evanston became part of the larger municipality in 1892. However, everything changed in 1901 when James Patten ran for mayor with a focus on addressing these grievances. His campaign promises resonated strongly with South Evanston voters, and they rewarded him with their votes. Once elected, Patten wasted no time keeping his word, particularly in improving services for South Evanston.

One of Patten's earliest actions as mayor was to dismiss longtime Fire Marshal Sam Harrison. Harrison, known for his flamboyant personality and strong opinions, had accumulated many detractors over his career, including Patten himself. The official reasons given for Harrison's dismissal included conflict of interest—his dual roles as both Fire Marshal and Township Constable—as well as allegations of lax discipline and questionable procurement practices. Patten swiftly appointed Ed Mersch, an assistant engineer at Engine Company 1, to take over as Fire Marshal. This decision came as quite a surprise, as Mersch lacked both managerial experience and seniority within the department. Yet, from Patten's perspective, Mersch was ideal due to his ties to South Evanston and his rare educational background, which set him apart from other firefighters of the time.

Following the appointment of Mersch, Mayor Patten outlined ambitious plans to modernize the Evanston Fire Department (EFD). Central to this vision was enhancing fire protection in South Evanston through increased staffing, updated equipment, and renovations to Fire Station No. 2, which had been operational since the annexation in 1892. At the time, the station housed Hose Company 2 in a multi-purpose building originally built as a village hall, police station, and jail. Despite being relatively new, the structure proved inadequate for current needs, prompting discussions about either renovation or replacement.

Ultimately, cost estimates revealed that renovating the existing building would be nearly as expensive as constructing a brand-new facility. With approval from the city council, demolition began, and construction commenced on a modern three-bay fire station at the same location. Completed in early 1903, the new Fire Station No. 2 at 750 Chicago Avenue featured state-of-the-art facilities designed to accommodate six personnel: a captain, a lieutenant, four firefighters, and four horses. Equipped with cutting-edge vehicles, such as a hose cart capable of carrying 1,250 feet of hose and a 1902 Seagrave combination truck, the station represented a significant leap forward in firefighting capabilities.

Under Mersch's leadership, further innovations were implemented, leveraging his expertise in mechanical engineering to enhance both efficiency and safety across the department. One notable achievement was restoring the Babcock chemical engine in 1902, extending its operational life by another fifteen years. Unfortunately, despite these accomplishments, Mersch's tenure faced challenges, culminating in his dismissal by Mayor James Barker in 1905 amidst accusations of political bias from South Evanston supporters.

Meanwhile, Sam Harrison went on to enjoy considerable success post-retirement, serving multiple terms as a Justice of the Peace and holding positions like Deputy County Assessor and City Building Inspector. He passed away peacefully at the age of 86 in 1939. As for James Patten, though he completed only one term as mayor, his efforts left an indelible mark on the development of Evanston's infrastructure, ensuring that the city remained committed to progress and community welfare throughout the early 20th century.

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