The Fires of 1882

The Fires of 1882. . Over the years, fires had destroyed parts of Downtown, but May of 1882 saw two disastrous fires which changed the city forever. On the night of May 9, 1882, the downtown Siddons Hotel caught fire and burned 15 buildings to the East. On May 18, 1882, the North side of the square burned along with 25 homes to the North. Insurance companies were instructed to raise rates and if no "satisfactory" arrangements were made for firefighting, the companies would not write any new policies. On May 3, 1883, the City purchased a Silsby steam engine, 1000 feet of hose and two hose carts for $4,775. The first City funded fire department was chartered on July 4, 1883, under the name of the Salamander Fire Company No. 1. In 1893, the 28 men from the Davis Hook and Ladder Company joined the City fire department with a hand drawn hook and ladder truck. By 1898, the fire department had 70 volunteer firemen and four paid men with 26 triple fire hydrants scattered around town. In 1913, the City purchased a motorized six cylinder American LaFrance pumper truck. By 1922, the City established a full paid fire department (firemen worked six 24 hour shifts and one day off). In 1925, the fire department became fully motorized with two American LaFrance pumper trucks and a hook and ladder truck. The City now had 147 fire hydrants., North side of the square prior to the May 18, 1882 fire. , North side of the square after the May 18, 1882 fire.