GRAND LEDGE BURNED!

Presented by Harlan Mac Dowell and Richard Sheren
at the October 4th, 2006 Grand Ledge Area Historical Meeting
with assistance and information from retired Fire Chief R. Graydon Briggs, Nancy Block, Grand Ledge Independent, and photographs by Ernst Floeter

Over the years there have been many fires in and around Grand Ledge. Some fires completely destroyed homes and businesses so that to look at the present locations you would never know that a fire had happened at that particular site. Rather than try to cover all of the fires in this presentation it was decided that a few would be mentioned along with special emphasis on five major fires that changed the downtown business district or its activities.

1863
The Grand Ledge Fire Department was organized and was known as the Bucket Brigade. Members included anyone who was available from the saloons and card rooms. The equipment consisted of a wagon, team, buckets, pike poles and a ladder. There were no full time fire fighters.

1876
A disastrous fire in December of 1876 destroyed an entire block of the Grand Ledge business district on the south side of the river and prompted the City Council to create a fire district which largely encompassed the newly burned out area along with some other zones and provided for "no wooden buildings, shop or stores" to be built within that area. This ordinance was passed January 1877. The ordinance also provided for the office of Fire Warden charged with the duty of making periodic inspection of all chimneys, flues and stove pipes in the district.

1885
Land was purchased for a new fire house and City Hall. The cost was $350.00. The fire department moved into the new structure at the corner of Bridge and River Streets and $250.00 was paid out to have the fire bell moved to the tower. That original building now houses Ledge Craft Lane. The fire department purchased additional equipment which consisted of fire pail, two axes, two crowbars, 35 foot ladder, a roof ladder and two pike poles at a total cost of $51.00. T.J. Toaz was the city's first fire chief. A new horse drawn fire engine was purchased the same year at a cost of $575.00. A hose wagon was damaged in an accident with another horse drawn vehicle and the city incurred $400.00 of damage.

1887
Several changes were made in the organization of the fire department after 1885 but of note was the council minutes of 1887 shows that the council denied the firemen's request to be paid $1.00 per fire if water was used. In addition, the council voted to build four cisterns downtown, three with a 12 barrel capacity and one with 200 barrel. Capacity. They were located at Bridge and Jefferson Streets, Bridge and River Streets and Bridge and Front Streets.
Council records also show they voted to pay any dray team $2.00 for hauling the fire wagon to a fire. In 1893 a fire bell was purchased for the hose wagon at a cost of $17.23.

1888
During Thanksgiving in November of 1888 a major fire burned the Davis Block along North Bridge Street at the corner of E.Front St. You can see the Congregational Church and the Old Greenwood School in the background. Prestons restaurant and bar is in that location now.

1896
The Acme Opera House on the north side of town burned down. Fortunately the building was not occupied at the time but it was capable of holding 500 people. It was located close to where Myja restaurant is now Another fire struck Grand Ledge the same year when the Hugh Rossman harness shop on South Bridge Street burned to the ground.. According to reports the business, housed in an old frame building stood on a "fine lot in the center of a block of first class brick stores", and while the loss is sincerely regretted, yet all rejoice that the old fire trap will be replaced next spring by a substantial building. The fire was reported between 11 and 12 o'clock, in the barber shop of W.R. Brown and nothing could be saved from either the barber shop or the harness shop.
At this point it became apparent a new water works was needed and one was constructed that same year. Enough space was constructed to also house the City Garage and the old Library on the site now occupied by the Masonic Temple. A new water main was purchased along with some miscellaneous equipment that included 1000 feet of hose at 65 cents per foot.

1898
An elevator by the railroad tracks, owned by George Smith and leased by J.M. Burtch and Co., caught fire. The blaze was thought to have been ignited by the sparks from a passing train. The elevator burned rapidly and even though the fire department responded promptly, declining water pressure made it impossible to get water to the roof.

1903
A north side of the river business block burned. The wood frame buildings were located between Washington and Main Streets. The fire department managed to hold the fire to the livery barn, the shed to the south, and the dwelling beside the barn. F.A. Anderson's Monument works suffer some damage to the roof and contents while the dwelling occupied by Mrs. Paul Kebler was slightly scorched. The large blacksmith shop occupied by Orla Ginter and William Manwarring was badly smoked and somewhat damaged but the contents were undamaged.
City council was happy due to the fact that much riff raff, and houses of ill repute occupied these buildings. Council had many complaints in the past and always appointed a committee to investigate, however no where in the council minutes does it show where the committee ever came back to the council with a report.

1909
The water tower on West Front was constructed and is still in service today. It helped supply the much needed water pressure to the fire department.

1913
Fred Shurett served as fire chief. For his services he earned $1200.00 per year including his quarters and lights but he had to furnish hay and grain for the horses.

1918
Several new pieces of fire equipment were purchased including a Model T Chemical Engine for $1360.00 and a Republic Pumper 500 for $7247.97 (less $1600.00 trade in for the hose wagon). Bert Bice was also hired as driver at a salary of $1000.00 per year.

1924
The American Vitrified Tile Factory burned but was rebuilt the same year. This factory later went out of business, was demolished , and is now the location of Grand Ledge Ravines Mobile Home Park.

1925
Meeting was held with Delta, Eagle, Oneida, and Watertown Townships to form the first mutual aid agreement.

1932
John Pierce was hired as fire chief to live in the fire station for $80.00 per month with lights and heat furnished but he did have to fire the boiler in the basement for city hall heat. City Hall was revised and the fire department was housed in the back half of the building along River Street.

1937
The Grand Ledge Clay Products had a major fire that was a total loss. The buildings were rebuilt the same year but did go out of business and is now the site of the J & K Steamboat company.

1943
On December 9th the Crawford Chair Factory burned with a major loss of buildings and jobs. The factory was never rebuilt and is now the site for the Robert's Corporation.

1946
A highly visible fire was started in a large pile of telephone poles by the Railroad tracks and burned for some time.

1948
On February 19th the City garage, power house and old Library along with the Patriotic Hall burned for a complete loss. It was located where the Masonic Temple is now. The same year the fire chief walked out after a dispute with the city council and left the city with no firemen on duty. The council then authorized the organization of the Volunteer Fire Department by resolution. By-laws were approved and Watt Russell was elected chief.

1950
Picture shows the local Fire Insurance Agents and boys from Troop 55 in front of the fire station.

1955
On February 2nd the Comet Dairy Bar was destroyed by fire along with a bowling alley, Gidley's Gun Shop, and a machine shop. They were all housed in the same location across from the Post Office on Jefferson Street where the gas station is now.

1967
On February 11th and 12th the downtown area suffered a major fire when Ewing's Shoe Store and Grand Pharmacy burned. The new buildings erected did not have a second floor.

1971
Grand Ledge Lumber Company fire on Christmas Eve was a total loss. It was just north of the present Big L Lumber company on north Clinton Street.

1975
The Roberts Corporation had a nasty fire but the facility was rebuilt shortly afterward.

1985
Another disastrous fire struck on June 9th when Pasquales Restaurant burned and three other businesses were also damaged. This fire also saw the death of the first Grand Ledge firefighter. Herb (Bud) Rasmussen died of a heart attack suffered at the scene. Bud was a 34 year veteran.

1986
The building that now houses the fire department was remodeled to accommodate the fire department and the ambulance service. It became known as the Emergency Services building. A voted bond project helped finance the project and the townships contributed $80,000 towards the building and the radio tower.

1993
The last major fire that we are talking about tonight occurred in July when the China Chef restaurant went up in flames along with Sally's Salon and the Golden Apple children's store. The site of this fire has not seen any rebuilding and is now vacant land in the middle of the block on the East side of south Bridge Street.

Yes there have been some other fires in and around Grand Ledge and there will probably be changes in the emergency organizations? However time is running out to talk about them tonight. It is interesting though to note in conclusion that to date only one life (Robert Jackson) died in his mobile home fire in 1994. It should also be noted that the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) in cooperation with the city has for the first time in the history of the city constructed adequate water mains throughout the district.