The early history of Fires and those individuals who fought them is sketchy. But if you were a man and could hall buckets of water, you were expected to fight any Fire in town. Because most homes, businesses, stores, factories and public buildings were built of wood and heated with wood or coal....conditions were ripe for a good fire. And many buildings were consumed quickly as indicated by the Fire List at the bottom of this page.

Early records show that Fires were fought with some fifty leather buckets and 8 or 10 ladders.

The Owosso Fire Hall in 1909
located on the southwest corner of Main and Park Streets.

Another View Circa 1910

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Unknown Owosso Fire....Circa 1900

The Reliance Hose Brigade was responsible for the west side of the Shiawassee River and the Defiance Hose Brigade for everything east of the River. The Phoenix Ladder Co. was to respond to each.

The Hose Co. had 2000 feet of hose, in good condition, bu more and more , the volunteers realized their need for system and organization.

At this time the city did not provide City Water, thus no hydrants and only way to obtain water for the Silsby Steamer, was to draft water from either the river, the mill race, or from one of two cisterns located about the City.

When the volunteers organized, they elected Thomas D. Dewey, Chief Engineer, A.E. McCullem, J. Fred Wildermuth and Nathaniel A. Finch, as Foremen. There were about 50 volunteers at this time.

The firefighting equipment was housed at the corner of East Main and Park Sts. in a building where the Lebowsky Theatre stands today.

When a fire was reported, a bell was rung, and those in charge of the Steamer had to start a fire in the pumper to build pressure for the pump to operate.

Then, hitch-up the team of horses and head for the fire. Hopefully, the Hose Company was already there laying hose to the cistern or river to supply the water. When the temperatures fell below freezing, it became real interesting.

According to Letson Jencs, smaller towns, like Corunna, couldn't afford a seperate team of horses for the their Fire Department and had to use the Department of Public Works team. This team could be working anywhere around town on odd jobs of blading gravel streets or hauling wagons full of dirt.

And when the Fire bell rang, they would be turned loose to return to the Fire Department. Imagine the sight of horses running wild for the Fire Hall unescorted.

Once they reached the Fire Dept., they would back into the stall and wait for the harnesses to drop down and the firemen would then hitch them to the Steamer. And of course, by this time, the horses were quite pumped and nervously danced, until the rig pulled out of the building.

In 1895, Owosso built a water treatment plant and pumps were installed. And soon thereafter, several hydrants was appeared through-out the City. This greatly improved the ability of the Fire Department.

It was no joking matter on April 1st., 1900 when the old Central School burned to the ground and two Owosso citizens lost their lives. It all started at 7 A.M. on Sunday morning when a passerby notice sparks from the chimney catching the belfrey and attic on fire. He quickly pulled the alarm at Box 16. The fire department, students and citizens quickly responded, however by the next day the school laid in ruins. Many were injured while attemping to save school furnishings including the Superintendent, E.T. Austin.

The large 4 story brick building was built in 1868 and the wood framing and interior was dry and perfect "tinder". Additionally, the building was located at one of the highest points of the city, which resulted in a low water pressure at that site and there had been a water main break at Huggins Street. High winds that day fanned the flames. By noon the fire was under control, but the main section was a total loss.

About an hour later, the firemen worked to put out remaining flare-ups, but when the west wall collapsed, fireman Fred Ross and student Frank Tucker were killed. Ross was still handling the fire hose and the school boy was carrying items out of the building. They were pulled from the rubble, but it was too late. At 9:30 P.M., the fire had rekindled and was "burning fiercer than ever." The school was a total loss.

Bird's Eye View looking southeast from Main and Washington Streets....Owosso

The building on the left is the City Hall and Fire Dept. The hose drying tower is at the back of the building. Notice the FLAG at half-staff. This photo could have been taken in April 1900, after the Central School fire in which one fireman and one student were killed.

In 1908, as Owosso grew, the need arose for a paid department. James Brown was hired as Chief and a crew of 12 men working nine days, before getting a day off and taking turns to go home to eat. These men were assisted by about 40 'call men'.

In 1910, Claude Craig became Chief.

In 1911, Station #2 was opened in West town Owosso. And in 1917, Owosso purchased its first motorized equipment, a Reo Chemical and Hose Truck.

William Howell served as Chief from 1918 until 1929 and then Mr. Craig became Chief again.

In 1921, Owosso purchased an American LaFrance Pumper and the Department became a full paid Department.

Sometime in the mid 1920s, the Department moved to a building at 202 S. Water St. which had been the Copas Slaughter House and in 1926, the West town Station #2 was closed.

The City purchased a Service Truck in 1929, which was used to replace the horse drawn ladder wagon. Here it is in front of the Water Street Station. Oliver Pierce, left, and Wendel Doan on the seat. Notice the water tank under the seat. This truck was sold to Bud Byerly, in the 1970s, who lives at his Glen Lake family cottage.

In 1942 the City purchased an American LaFrance Pumper with a 750 gallon per minute pump.

In 1943 a law was passed by the State Legislature cutting the hours of a paid fire Department to 73 1/2 hours per week.

Roy Coakes was appointed Fire Chief in 1944, on the death of Mr. Craig and served in that capacity until Jan. 1, 1961, after serving more than 35 years in the Department.

In 1945, the citizens of Owosso, voted to have a retirement system for all City employees.

The City purchased an American LaFrance Pumper with 1000 gallon per minute pump and a matching Aerial Ladder Truck with an 85 foot ladder in 1952.

Central Station as it looked on April 8, 1952 with the new ladder truck.

The set cost about $55,000. This year also saw the installation of a 2-way radio system in 4 fire trucks.

In the center of the picture is then Mayor Kenneth Crawford, dividing the two shifts.

Standing in the middle of left side is Captain George Caylor and standing in the middle of the right side is Captain Walter O'Dell

This picture was taken on July 1st, 1948 upon the retirement of Pat Rourke, Bill Rourke, Roger Williams, Bob Crane and John McCully.

FRONT ROW

Pat Rourke, Bill Rourke, Newell Kimmel, Ross Viers, Clarence Monroe, George Caylor, Roy Coakes, Ken Crawford, Fordyce Bacon, Walter O'Dell, Clarence Orser, Richard Little, Clarence Mead, Roger Williams.

BACK ROW

Elmer Hodge Sr., Lester Reid, Charles Williams, J.D. Adams, Harry Nourse, Wendall Doan, John McCully, Bob Crane