Ashland Fire Fighting

Footpower to Horsepower

By Sharon Manthei 

The Ashland Fire Department has seen many changes over the years. The volunteer “Fire Laddies” who organized in 1883 with minimal equipment and training have evolved to our present day fully equipped, highly-skilled department.

The city of Ashland was almost entirely built of wood, including homes and roofs, sidewalks and streets. The wooden structures dried to tinder in the summer sun and a spark from a wood fired stove, a railroad locomotive or a boiler in a mill or factory could start a fire at any moment. Sawdust piles and lumber along the bay front were also highly inflammable. Lumber mills along the bay kept a supply of barrels of water on their rooftops to battle the fires.

The town of Ashland organized and equipped a volunteer fire department in June of 1887. Hook and Ladder Company #1 and the Bardon Hose Company #2 were established with their headquarters in the Central Hose House on the south west corner of Fourth Avenue West and Third Street. Ordinance #1 of the newly chartered City of Ashland set fire limits within the business district and stipulated that buildings there be built of fireproof materials. The city took over the town fire department and turned the Central Hose House into the Central Station. New stations established were the Ellis Company #1 in the Fifth Ward, the Beaser Hose Company #3 in the Second Ward and the Vaughn Hose Company #4 in the Third Ward. Each company consisted of a foreman, an assistant foreman and ten firemen aged eighteen to fifty. The first city budget included $1,500 to be shared by all the companies for pay and regular equipment. T.L. Scott was named Ashland’s first fire chief. By 1890, two more hose companies were added, the Durfee Hose Company with its station at 14^th Avenue West and West Second Street and the Knight Hose Company, which was stationed at the foot of Whittlesey Avenue. The first chief of the newer, larger fire department was S.W. Tanner, who succeeded Chief Scott. One year later F.W. French became chief and held the position for four years before passing it on to D.A. McCune, Ashland’s last volunteer chief.

The volunteer firefighters were proud of their positions and entered firefighter tournaments. The object was to run a hose cart a given distance and connect the hose line to a hydrant ready for use. Ashland placed first on many occasions and once won a hose cart for taking first honors in Hurley. The Ashland firemen won the 1890 tournament, which was held in Ashland, in a record time of 35 seconds.  Individuals of the department also carried off single honors. Bill Curtis of the Ashland department was considered one of the fastest runners in this region and won many trophies in recognition of his ability as a sprinter.

The life of a firefighter was viewed as glamorous and there was always a long list of volunteers waiting to sign on. Qualities favorable to becoming a firefighter were men who were known to be good family men, not prone to drunken ways, little or no use of profane or vulgar language and one who did not spit tobacco. Being physically fit and disciplined were necessary also. After ten years of depending on volunteer firefighters, the City Council created a paid fire corps of 21 men, including a chief engineer.

The Gamewell Fire Alarm System was installed in 1888. Until then, a good set of lungs and church bells served as fire alarms. Ashland bought its first steam fire pump in 1909 and its first motorized vehicle, a Nash hose wagon, in 1917. Ashland’s present Ellis Station was built in 1920 and the Beaser Fire House was built the following year.

Until 1917, all wagons were pulled by men on foot or by horses. Fire horses were special in many ways. They had to react quickly and correctly when the fire alarm sounded and they had to be brave and manageable while at the scene of a fire. Ashland’s horses were well trained. At the sound of the fire alarm, the horses would leave their stalls and back themselves into place to be hitched to the wagons. They became very close to their handlers.

Ashland has had its share of large fires over the years, but fortunate to never have had a city-destroying fire like many pioneer communities experienced.