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By the year 1875, Willmar had a
population of 1004 (including the township). On January 15, 1876, R.D.
Bloomfield and F.R. Bunker were appointed to a committee to ascertain the
approximate cost of acquiring a fire extinguishing plant for the village.
First Apparatus
On February 19, 1876 it was decided to purchase a No. 4 Champion
Extinguisher. It was tested on a building built and ignited for that
purpose and proved to be satisfactory. The cost was $807.50 (paid on
March 20, 1876).
First Station
On March 18, 1876 it was decided
to build an "Engine House." This would consist of a 16' x 24' building
with 10' posts not to cost more than $250 and be completed by April 1 of
that year. The building committee was comprised of three men: Clark,
E. Locke and J.L. Hanscom.
In January 1879, a Fire Company
was organized to consist of not more than 30 members. The following
individuals signed the Articles of Association:
| Scott Ranson |
J.T. Schain |
| Will Calhoun |
H.C. DeLane |
| H. Peterson |
Frank Wheeler |
| David Johnson |
W.J. Sanderson |
| O.G. Marlow |
John Gorwell |
| C.J. Wilson |
William Britton |
| C. Hillson |
Ole B. Jorgenson |
| Fred Rennehanz |
P. Cenell |
| Henry Goldhahn |
John Truelson |
| C. Hennings |
S. Garver |
| John Walin |
R.A. Costello |
| M. Kelley |
G.W. Tyler |
| Stanley Moore |
Thos Huffman |
The following officers were elected during their first meeting:
| Foreman Scott Ranson |
| First Assistant Foreman J.T. Schain |
| Second Assistant Foreman W.L. Ross |
| Secretary H.C. DeLane |
| Treasurer W.J. Sanderson |
The Council appropriated $200 to assist in purchasing a fire pump and 1,000
feet of hose, conditioned that $300 be contributed by private citizens.
On April 22, 1879, $100 was appropriated for firefighter uniforms.
On June 19, 1880 the Council resolved to provide 3 wells for the village.
These were located at Benson Avenue & 3rd Street; Pacific Avenue & 4th
Street; and Benson Avenue & 5th Street. E. Locke and J.M. Spicer were
appointed to this committee.
A tax was levied for the purchase of a fire engine on August 10, 1880.
This was in good timing as one of the most destructive fires in the
village's early history occurred on December 14, 1880 near the rail yards.
At approximately 9:00 PM that night, flames were discovered in the Pacific
House. The Fire Companies were called out immediately. Firemen
and others went to work with the hand-pumping engine, however, the wells
located nearby did not supply sufficient water for the size of the fire.
2 locomotives were soon brought in to transport water from the railroad
tracks. At this time, firemen and citizens worked lustily at the pumps
and helped carry goods out of the buildings. After completely
enveloping the Pacific House, the flames quickly spread East to Hoyt's Store
and West to Clark and Frost's Stove, completely destroying them.
Hanscom and Mountain's Butcher Shop, near the corner of Pacific Avenue and
4th Street was saved, although badly scorched. Goldhahn's Stove on the
east side of Hoyt's was finally saved, though badly damaged. The
buildings fronting on Pacific Avenue between 3rd and 4th Streets were either
heavily damaged or completely destroyed. The total damage was
estimated at $13,000.
President Manning was instructed by the Council on February 20, 1881 to
purchase a hook and ladder truck from Preston & Knott (Minneapolis) for
$300. Also purchased was a 600-pound fire alarm bell for $102 from
McShane & Co. (Baltimore).
On February 14, 1886 the Council decided to purchase lots 13 and 14 on the
south side of Litchfield Avenue near 6th Street for an Engine House and
Village Hall for $200. (Currently where the City Offices and Auditorium are
located)
According to a Federal Census in 1890,Willmar was credited with 1825
inhabitants.
On January 12, 1891, Council instructed the recorder to "draft a bill and
forward same to our members in the Legislature, authorizing the Village of
Willmar to vote on the question of issuing bonds for the purpose of putting
in a system of waterworks." A special election was held on March
7, 1891 and was adopted by a vote of 227 - 42. The Legislature
authorized Willmar to issue bonds in the amount of $20,000. Council
accepted a bid from Harrison and Hawley for the completion of a waterworks
system for $17,853.
A proposition from the Waterous Engine Company to furnish a hook and ladder
truck for $425 was accepted by Council on December 10, 1892.
The State Census in 1895 showed Willmar's population to be 2511, thus
proving it to be the largest town between Minneapolis and Fargo.
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