Downers Grove in DuPage County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Original Site of Grant E. Dicke Firehouse

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 2, 2025

1. Original Site of Grant E. Dicke Firehouse Marker

Inscription. This plaque marks the original site of
Grant E. Dicke Firehouse #1
1928-1975
and honors the valiant firefighters who have served the community.
Chief John P. Wander

Erected 1991 by the Downers Grove Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.

Location. 41° 47.783′ N, 88° 0.781′ W. Marker is in Downers Grove, Illinois, in DuPage County. It is on Warren Avenue near Forest Avenue, on the right when traveling west. The marker is the upper of two affixed to the former firehouse building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1120 Warren Avenue, Downers Grove IL 60515, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

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are within walking distance of this marker: Grant E. Dicke Fire Station (here, next to this marker); Prince Pond (approx. 0.2 miles away); Downers Grove Historic Brick Streets (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mochels' Hardware Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Historic Brick Street Area (approx. 0.2 miles away); Farmer's and Merchant's Bank Building (approx. ¼ mile away); Main Street Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away); Downers Grove Civil War Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Downers Grove.

More about this marker. A separate historical marker, erected by the village's historical society in 2019, is immediately below this one.

Regarding Original Site of Grant E. Dicke Firehouse. The building today is used as a community center for the apartment complex that surrounds it.

Also see . . . Downers Grove Historical Society: Grant E. Dicke Fire Station.

Excerpt: "The Dicke family name became synonymous with fire fighting in our town. Casper Dicke, Grant’s father and the owner of Dicke Tool Works had twice been affected by devastating fires in 1903 and 1911 which destroy his building. He
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 2, 2025

2. Original Site of Grant E. Dicke Firehouse Marker
Two markers are affixed to the front of the old Dicke Firehouse: A 1991 marker on the top and a 2019 marker on the bottom.
became a big supporter of fire safety and was instrumental in generating interest in building a permanent fire station in town for the all-volunteer department. In 1927, the bond issue was approved and the station was built on land owned by Mr. Dicke. All 7 of Dicke’s sons served in the fire department over the years."

(Submitted on May 4, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 4, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 115 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 4, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.