Evanston Fire Department history Part 33

July 06, 2025

From Phil Stenholm:

Another chapter in the History of the Evanston Fire Department.

BOLTWOOD

On a quiet Sunday afternoon, January 9, 1927, LeRoy Kreutzer, a boy scout, noticed smoke rising from the Boltwood Intermediate School, located at the southeast corner of Dempster and Elmwood. At the time, Boltwood was not only Evanston’s only junior high school but also the headquarters for the local Boy Scouts of America. The building had previously served as the Evanston Township High School for four decades, until the new ETHS campus opened in 1924 on Church and Dodge. Kreutzer immediately pulled fire alarm box #313 at Dempster and Elmwood and then ran to the home of EFD Chief Albert Hofstetter at 1228 Sherman Avenue, waking him from his nap.
 
Chief Hofstetter rushed across the alley and met arriving crews from Station #1. It was quickly determined that the fire was confined to a manual arts classroom in the basement. Though small in scale, the fire spread rapidly due to heavy smoke, making it difficult for firefighters to reach the source. Despite the challenging conditions, a monkey and several white mice were rescued from the science lab. Truck companies tried to ventilate the building, but a sudden gust of wind fanned the flames, causing them to surge up the stairwell and blow out through second-floor windows.

As the situation worsened, a “General Alarm” was called, mobilizing all on-duty and off-duty firefighters. With the fire spreading fast and threatening nearby homes—including Chief Hofstetter’s own house—and the businesses along Dempster Street, the department realized they needed outside help. After two firefighters narrowly escaped a roof collapse, Hofstetter ordered a defensive strategy, pulling everyone out of the building.

In response to the growing crisis, Chief Hofstetter contacted the Chicago Fire Department. This wasn’t the first time they had helped Evanston, but this time, the scale of the fire required a larger response. Chicago sent six engine companies, two truck companies, a high-pressure wagon, and a water tower under the command of 1st Assistant Chief Fire Marshal Jerry McAuliffe. Their arrival made a significant difference in bringing the fire under control.

The chaos was immense. At least two traffic accidents occurred as hundreds of fire trucks and spectators flooded the area. At the peak of the fire, engines were pumping water from hydrants across a six-block radius. An estimated 20,000 people—nearly one-third of Evanston’s population at the time—gathered to watch the destruction. Local police officers, including many off-duty personnel, were called in to manage the crowds and traffic.

Thanks to the coordinated efforts of both the Evanston and Chicago fire departments, the blaze was eventually brought under control. While Boltwood School was completely gutted, the surrounding homes and businesses were saved. Three firefighters suffered minor injuries, and the damage totaled $308,500—a record loss for Evanston at the time. In the years that followed, two new junior high schools—Nichols in South Evanston and Haven in North Evanston—were built to replace Boltwood. Haven initially operated as a K-8 school, replacing Cranston Elementary.

The fire exposed serious shortcomings in the Evanston Fire Department. Afterward, city officials launched an investigation and found that the EFD was essentially a small-town department struggling to meet the needs of a growing city of 60,000 people. It was understaffed, underfunded, and lacked the resources to handle large-scale emergencies.

In April 1927, Evanston voters approved a $75,000 bond issue, leading to major improvements in the EFD:

  • Twenty (eventually 23) additional firefighters were hired within a year
  • A fourth fire station was built
  • Two new engine companies were formed
  • Two 1,000-GPM pumpers were purchased
  • A portable high-pressure turret nozzle was acquired
  • A Fire Prevention Bureau was established

This event marked a turning point for the Evanston Fire Department, setting the stage for future growth and modernization.

Aluminum Extrusion

aluminium square extrusion,square extruded aluminum tubing,extruded aluminum square,extruded aluminum square tubing

Guangdong Huachang Group Co., Ltd. , https://www.wacangaluminium.com

Back to top