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A HISTORY OF THE MATTOON FIRE DEPARTMENT

The following history of the Mattoon Fire Department was written by Chief L.E. Weaver (1951-1964) in 1957. It chronicles the history of the MFD from 1861 until 1957.

Mattoon Volunteer Fire Department around 1890

The first company known as the Mattoon Fire Department was organized on March 3, 1861. The apparatus consisted of one hand pump, with water being furnished by a cistern located at 16th and Broadway. This cistern was used for fires in the downtown district. The Mattoon Volunteer Fire Department was organized in 1884. Paid Department Photo 1907

The old City Building was located in Central Park, site of the present City Building. The department consisted of 20 men with George Redfern as Chief and Dan Semeel as the Assistant Chief. They moved to 116 South 17th Street in 1885, now the site of Jackson's Restaurant (now Hunan's). In 1885, the equipment consisted of three hand drawn hose carts and one hand drawn hook and ladder located at different points. One hose cart and hook and ladder were located at 116 South 17th Street. One hose cart in Central Park and the other in the Klohr Building on East Broadway. Great Army of the Republic meeting at fire house

Great Army of the Republic meeting at fire house

The first team of horses were donated to the city by the late Mrs. Carrie Kingman in 1898 for fire department use only. They were known as Punch and Judy.

(For a Fire Department Roster Picture of 1899 Click Here) In February 1905, the city purchased a team and a chemical wagon. The Volunteer Department was disbanded under Mayor Byer's administration in 1905 and was replaced by a full paid department.

The second station was added in 1911 and was located at 2117 Western Avenue. station #2, 1914

The two stations were then consolidated in 1918.

The first piece of motor apparatus was purchased Feb. 5, 1916. A Model T Ford Chemical Truck. The horse drawn apparatus was replaced by a Ford hose truck in 1918. The last team was discarded in favor of a Robinson Combination Truck on Jan. 31, 1919. In 1920, the City purchased an American LaFrance pumper, 750 gpm capacity. In 1929, the Fire Department along with other city officers and offices were moved to what was known as Central Park and the present location of Fire Station #1 and the City Building. The personnel of the fire department, under Fire Chief J.C. Weaver, Chief Julius C. Weaver (circa 1915)

contributed to the fire fighting equipment of the community by constructing one Hudson Chemical Truck, one Dodge Graham Chemical Truck, and one Cunningham Chemical and Hose Truck.

In 1937, the City purchased a Diamond T, 750 gpm pumper, retiring one of the chemical trucks. In 1944, the city added another pumper, a 500gpm pumper purchase from Peter Pirsch and Sons Co. The same year marked the addition of the present Station #2 located at 313 South 18th Street. Additional manpower was also provided. In 1949, the city recieved delivery of a 65' aerial from Peter Pirsch and Sons Co. of Kenosha, Wi. Again in 1954, the city purchased a 1000 gpm pumper from the same company. In 1957, the City recieved delivery of the latest addition to the department. A 1000 gpm pumper, an American La France.(These two involved in the wreck.) At that time , the 1921 model American La France was retired and sold to the Kull Lumber Co.
The Department now number twenty men working a two platoon system, 24 hours on 24 hours off with a "Kelly Day" each 16 days. Present Plans call for hiring 5 additional men in anticipation of the 56 hour work week(24 on, 48 off).

L.E. Weaver, Chief
Mattoon Fire Department

THIS IS A HISTORY THAT BRINGS US UP TO THE MODERN ERA OF THE MFD. PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR OTHER LINKS TO SEE INTERESTING FACTS LIKE OUR TRIBUTE PAGE TO BOBBY DEMARS, DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY, MARCH 29TH, 1967, AND THE WRECK.