1857, January 29, Neighbors Burned Down a House of Ill Repute, Chicago.

At about 2 o'clock in the morning, a building in the southwestern portion of the city was burned. It had been occupied as a lewd house for some time, to the great annoyance of the neighbors and was empty at the time, the police having arrested all the inmates and locked them in the Bridewell [1], about 10 o'clock the same night. 

Chicago House of Correction, 26th and California Avenue, Chicago, 1868-1928.

The fire was probably the work of some exasperated neighbors who determined to have the nuisance thoroughly abated.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

---

[1] The Bridewell was a municipal jail that housed petty criminals, vagrants, and drunks. It was located at Polk and Wells Streets, in the city's "vice district." The jail was a two-story building with three rooms. The first room was used for debtors, the second for drunks, and the third for vagrants. The jail was filthy and overcrowded, and the conditions were often inhumane. The Bridewell was closed in 1860. It was replaced by a new jail, the Cook County Jail, located at Hubbard and State Streets.

The name "Bridewell" comes from a similar institution in London, England. The London Bridewell was founded in 1555 as a workhouse for the poor. It later became a jail for petty criminals and vagrants. The Chicago Bridewell was modeled after the London Bridewell.

1856, September 8th, Fire at the Chicago Baltic House Hotel Stables.

This illustration is a visual aid.

The alarm of fire at about 10 o'clock in the evening was occasioned by the burning of the stable attached to the Baltic House, owned and occupied by Mrs. Connor, on Wells Street, just south of Van Buren Street. The loss on the stable was about $400, and the damage to the hotel from scorching and the removal was some $400 additional. No insurance.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

1856, April 13th, Two Persons Burned to Death, Chicago.

A small frame building on Peyton Street, near the North Branch of the Chicago River, was burned up Sunday night, and an Irishman and his wife were consumed by the building. The remains of the bodies were taken out after the fire and placed in coffins by the coroner. 

This photo is a visual aid. 1856 House Totally Destroyed by Fire.

Another Irishman who boarded in the house, and a boy some 14 years old, made a narrow escape by jumping out of the window. The parties who were burned were recently married, but we did not learn their names. The woman was formerly a widow named Crimmis, and it was her boy who escaped. The origin of the fire is not known, as all in the house were asleep.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

1856, April 7th, Chicago Manufacturing Co., Fire Total Destruction.

Monday forenoon, the Oil Manufactory, situated on the South Branch of the Chicago River, owned by the Chicago Rosin Oil Manufacturing Company, was totally destroyed by fire. About $10,000 worth of stock was destroyed, and the loss is approximately $20,000 ($719,000 today). There was no insurance.

Chicago Rosin Oil Manufacturing Company. This photo is a visual aid.

The fire was caused by the breaking of one of the large kettles, from which a large quantity of inflammable material came in contact with the furnace fires and then communicated the flames to the building. The stock was owned by Hugh Maher, F.C. Sherman, F.T. Sherman, C. Marsh, Dr. Morse, Richmond & Co., and C.B. Brown.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

1856, January 19th, Brewery and Dwelling Burned, Chicago.

The fire alarm on Saturday evening at about 9 o'clock was caused by the burning of a large brewery, "Bier Halle," dwelling and stable near the Illinois Central Railroad Engine House and Machine shops in the southern part of the city. The buildings were owned by Mr. Best and occupied by Mr. Siab. 

The Wein & Lager Bier Halle (The Wine & Beer Hall), a Bavarian-style (German) pub, at 513 South Halsted Street (1304 S. Halsted today), Chicago.

The firemen were promptly on the ground: but the flames spread with great rapidity; owing to a strong north-eastern wind blowing at the time and great difficulty being experienced in procuring water, the buildings were entirely destroyed. We have heard the loss variously estimated from $10,000 to $15,000. The fire is supposed to be the work of an incendiary.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

1856, January 16th, A Two-Story Brick Dwelling, Destroyed, Chicago.

The alarm of fire this morning at about 3 o'clock was caused by the burning of a brick dwelling on Franklin Street, occupied jointly by the families of Mr. A. Jackson and Mr. C. Summerfield. The two-story building was destroyed, but the greater part of the furniture was saved.

This photo is a visual aid.

A clerk of Mr. Summerfield, who was sleeping upstairs, saved himself by throwing his bed out of the window and jumping out upon it. A woman and child upstairs also made a narrow escape and nearly suffocated to death by the smoke. One of the firemen was considerably injured by the falling of a ladder upon which he was stationed.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

Chicago Finally has a Fire Alarm Bell; City Ordinance Passed July 1855.

In February 1855, a deep-toned bell was installed in the new Courthouse.

The July 1855 ordinance passed, dividing the City into six fire districts. An alarm-sounding code was initiated:

Mr. Holden, from the Committee on Fire and Water, made a report in regard to a system of Fire Alarms. The South, West and North Divisions are numbered 1, 2, and 3. The city is divided into 6 districts.

• One tap, followed by nine more taps, calls the firemen to district № 1.
• Three taps, followed by nine other taps, calls them to district № 3.
• Six taps, followed by nine other taps, calls them to district № 6.
• Six strokes of the bell calls out that part of the fire department which is located in the district in which the fire breaks out, thus:
• One tap followed by six others, Division № 1 to District № 1.
• 2-6, calls Division № 1 to District № 2.
• 3-6, calls Division № 2 to District № 3.
• 4-6, calls Division № 2 to District № 4.
• 5-6, calls Division № 3 to District № 5.
• 6-6, calls Division № 3 to District № 6.
• The Courthouse bell is also to designate the hours of 7, 12, 1, 6, and 9 o'clock by two taps an indefinite number of times.
• The report was laid on the table and ordered to be printed.

A watchman was continually on duty in the tower. Besides ringing the bell, the watchman was responsible for handing out flags by day and lanterns by night, used to direct firefighters to the fire scene. There was no gas in those days, so torch boys ran ahead of the engine to light the way. When an alarm was rung at night, citizens were responsible for placing lighted candles in their windows, lighting the way for the firefighters.

The "Long John" steam fire engine tested in February 1858 was met with hostility from the volunteer firemen. The volunteers could sense this was the beginning of their extinction. The steam engine "Long John" was put into service on May 1, 1858, at the corner of Adams and Franklin Street. 

This Daguerreotype photograph was taken on July 4, 1855. The third floor and dome were not added to the Courthouse until 1858. The basement was above ground.

Firefighters of the volunteer hose companies and two paid members, the engineer and assistant engineer, manned the "Long John." The death knell of the volunteer fire department was rung on August 2, 1858, when the city council passed the ordinance organizing the paid City of Chicago Fire Department. The first completely paid company was Engine Company № 3, located at 225 South Michigan Boulevard. This company was one of fifteen engines and three hook and ladder companies acquired from the volunteer department. 

Courthouse in 1858.

ADDITIONAL ARTICLES:

Fires in Chicago & The Great Chicago Fire.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

1855, April 30th, A Saloon Fire at Washington and Market Streets, Chicago was Destroyed.

At half-past one o'clock on Monday morning, a fire broke out in a saloon occupied by Andrew H. Young at the corner of Washington and Market Streets, being part of a house owned by Michael Casey, and kept as a boarding house by Mr. Young. 

This illustration is a visual aid.

The fire spread with great rapidity, and the building, with most of its contents, was destroyed. Most of the boarders escaped in their night clothes, and few of them saved anything more than they could lay their hands on in an instant. We have been informed that the house was partly insured, but we understand that Mr. Young's loss in furniture, etc., will not be less than $1,000 ($35,000 today), with no insurance.

The usual promptitude in sounding a fire alarm characterized this fire. Had there been a lookout on the Court House steeple, the fire would have been seen when it first broke out. An alarm could have been struck directing the firemen to proceed westward from the Court House, which would, in a very few minutes, have assembled the entire force of the department and saved at least half the destruction that followed. As it was, the fire rages for nearly half an hour before the city alarm bell sounded, and then it gave forth such an "uncertain sound" that if the blaze of the conflagration had not lit up the sky, the firemen would not have known in what direction to run.

We have spoken so often of the imperative necessity of immediate attention to the subject of fire alarms that we are tired of it. We presume that nothing will be done until some of our most valuable blocks of buildings are laid in ruins, and then we shall have a fire alarm.

ADDITIONAL READING: The Chicago Lager Beer Riot of 1855.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

1855, April 23rd, A Two-Story Dwelling Fire Opposite the Lighthouse, Chicago.

At half past eight o'clock in the morning, a fire broke out in the two-story frame dwelling, on River Street (Wabash Avenue today), opposite the Lighthouse, owned by H. Fuller, Esq., and occupied by Mrs. Jenkins. 

The First Lighthouse was built in 1832. The Lake House Hotel is on the Right.

The damage was confined to the roof, and the loss was estimated at about $500 ($17,600 today). There was no insurance. The fire originated from a defect in the stove pipe.

sidebar

The first lighthouse at the mouth of the Chicago River was built in 1832, but it fell over when it reached a height of fifty feet. It was rebuilt at River Street (Wabash Avenue). A pier and a new lighthouse became operational in 1859. The pier was extended, and a new lighthouse was built in 1869. A fog bell/horn was added in 1881. Another new lighthouse on the pier was operational in 1885.

A Pier and a New Lighthouse Was Built In 1859. Picture Date Unknown.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

1855, February 26th, A Large Furniture Manufacturer was Consumed by Fire, Chicago.

About half past eight o'clock in the evening, a fire broke out in the large furniture and picture frame manufactory of Ferrie & Boro on the corner of Van Buren and Wells Streets. 

This photo is a visual aid.

In an incredibly short time, the whole of the extensive building was wrapped in flames, and with most of its contents became prey to the devouring element. The wind, though not high, blew with some violence, and four or five small dwelling houses in the vicinity soon caught fire and were consumed.

The night was bitterly cold, and the noble exertions of the firemen are deserving of high praise. It is not known how the fire originated. Mr. Boyd was in the building at 6 o'clock, and all then seemed safe. There was a painful rumor prevalent during the fire that four men had perished in the flames, but we cannot find sufficient grounds for placing the least reliance on it.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

1854, June 22nd, A Drug Store Chemical Storage Room Fire, Chicago.

About half past five o'clock this morning, a fire broke out in a small building in the rear of J.H. Reed & Company's Drug Store, used for the storage of matches, ether, phosphorus, etc. 

This photograph is a visual aid.

A young man in the establishment, discovering the smoke at the back door, immediately gave the alarm and, rushing out, burst open the door and dashed in a few pails of water—all that he found at hand, hoping to prevent a general conflagration, caught up a large bottle of ether, which exploded while he was removing it, covering him with flames, though fortunately not injuring him seriously. He then closed the door for the purpose of smothering the fire, while "ever and anon" (now and then; occasionally) a bottle of ether would explode and burst open the entrance in spite of all endeavors to keep it shut. 

Engine Company № 1 was on hand very soon after the alarm and, by dint (as a result of) submerging the entire building, succeeded in arresting the fire. However, for some time after, the phosphorus grumbled and sputtered and smoked under the water as though loth to give up the business it had so successfully begun. The cause of the fire was the bursting of a bottle of phosphorus which being usually kept in water, ignited spontaneously in the open air; the loss was not very heavy, being covered entirely by insurance. We are happy to be able to state that the young man so summarily baptized with burning ether was not dangerously injured. He professes no great anxiety to repeat the experiment.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

1854, February 25th, The Eagle Hotel Fire, Chicago.

The alarm of a fire about 4 o'clock on Saturday morning was caused by the burning of the Eagle Hotel, a three-story frame building. on State Street between Taylor and Polk Streets. A barn immediately adjoining was also destroyed. The two buildings were owned by Mr. John Raber, and occupied by H.A. Caswell, as a Dutch boarding house. The hotel was insured for $800 ($29,000 today) and $250 ($9,000 today) on the barn. The furniture was mostly saved, though in a damaged state. A two-story frame building adjoining on the south, and used for a grocery, was considerably burned about the roof.

The fire caught from the chimney in the kitchen and was first discovered by a watchman, who aroused the guests. But for the difficulty in getting water, the fire might have been stopped. As was the case at the burning of a dwelling in the North Division last Tuesday morning, the hydrant proved entirely useless, and the firemen were obliged to obtain water from other sources. Unless the hydrants can be of some service in cases of fire, they may as well be removed for all the good they have shown themselves capable of doing thus far.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

1854, January 29th, The American (Rail) Car Company Foundry Burned, Chicago.

At 9½ o'clock on Sunday forenoon, smoke was seen issuing from the one-story brick building attached to the Works of the American Car Company and occupied by the Brass and Iron Foundry, Blacksmith, Cleaning and Moulding Shops. 

sidebar

In the 1850s, Chicago was home to several large railroad car makers, including the American Car Company, the Eagle Works, and the Union Car Works, which each employed about 300 men. The American Car Company of Chicago had begun building passenger cars, freight cars, and baggage cars in November 1852. It carried on an extensive manufacture of railroad cars in 1853/54. The company was located on the Lake Shore at the foot of Rio Grande Street (26th Street today). The section surrounding the American Car Company works became thickly settled and was a village known as “Carville,” which was annexed by Chicago on February 12, 1853, the second extension of Chicago's city limits (green sections).

The fire is supposed to have been taken from a stove in which a fire had been kindled an hour previously. The flames spread to all parts of the building, and it was only through the utmost exertions of the immediate neighborhood. Several of our active citizens gathered together on the alarm being given that the extensive machine shop (a wooden structure) was saved. 

The interior of the Foundry, and the West wing of the building, occupied as a Blacksmith Shop, was all burned on the inside, and the roofs fell in; but the brick walls were saved and can probably be used in rebuilding. The East wing, occupied as a Moulding Shop, was entirely destroyed—being a frame structure. 

Bucket Brigade. This illustration is a visual aid.

Through the untiring exertions of those assembled on the ground, the flames were confined to one building, although they had nothing but buckets of water with which to fight the fire. After the engines had arrived on the spot, there was a serious difficulty in procuring water, and № 7 was fed by lines of men passing pails of water from the cisterns [1].

The entire loss is probably about $5,000 ($182,000 today)—but the damages to the Company in having their Works kept inactive will be much greater than the amount of property destroyed. About 150 workmen will be thrown out of employment by this conflagration. However, the energy of the Company will doubtless have the building reconstructed and at work again in about four weeks. most of the workmen saved their tools, but about all of the patterns, etc., were destroyed. There were fortunately, no cars injured.

This fire will be a serious inconvenience to many of the Railroads in the vicinity, who were relying on the American Car Works for their running material, It was fortunate that the conflagration was not more disastrous. Insured for $3,500 ($141,000 today).

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

---

[1] A cistern is an artificial reservoir or tank for storing liquids, especially water. Cisterns are typically buried tanks made of brick or metal that are designed to capture and store rainwater. Cisterns can range in capacity from 100 gallons to several thousand gallons.

1853, November 18th, The North Side M.L. Keith Distillery Fire, Chicago.

A fire broke out at 7 o'clock Friday morning in the Distillery owned and occupied by M.L. Keith, on the North Side, by McCormick's Factory [1]. The building was entirely consumed, also about 700 bushels of corn and other grains valued at $1,000. Loss in the vicinity of $7,000 ($278,000 today)—insured for $3,000 ($119K) at the North Western Company of Oswego, New York. How the fire originated is not known. Several of the men had been at work and left for breakfast, and others were arriving when the flames broke out.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

[1] The McCormick Reaper Factory was located at 22-24 West Kinzie Street, Chicago. It was on the north bank of the Chicago River.

McCormick Works, Chicago, 1867. Looking North from the Chicago River.

The factory was built in 1847 by Cyrus McCormick, who invented the reaper, a horse-drawn machine that revolutionized the harvesting of wheat. The factory was one of the first industrial buildings in Chicago, and it helped to make the city a major center for manufacturing. The McCormick Factory was located in an area that was then known as the North Side Manufacturing District. This district was home to a number of other factories, including the Fairbanks, Morse & Company machine shop, the Western Union telegraph office, and the Chicago Gas Light Company. The North Side Manufacturing District was a major center for innovation and economic growth in the 19th century. The McCormick Factory was demolished in 1906.

1853, October 10th, Five Tenements on Ferry Street Nearly Burnt Down, Chicago.

Between 12 and 1 o'clock Monday night, a fire broke out in an untenanted building on Ferry Street (Kingsbury Street), 5th Ward, and soon extended north and south among a cluster of wooden tenements. The fire burnt with much fury and, but for the efforts of the Fire Department, would have done extensive mischief. As it was, the frame buildings, numbers 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20, Ferry Street, were all more or less damaged, and three of them pretty much destroyed. The building in which the fire originated belonged to George Brandt and was consumed—no insurance.

The next building belonged to Peter Holler—this too was destroyed, though the furniture, etc., were mostly saved—insurance $400. The next building belonged to the Messieur (Gentlemen) Elmore and was occupied by J.M. Smith, a member of Engin Company № 5. His furniture was nearly all saved, but the house was pretty much used up—insured for $200. North of Brandt's building, a frame house owned by Mrs. McFayden, was nearly burnt down—not insured: and the grocery of Phillip Badey was considerably damaged. Loss by fire and water $200—no insurance.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

1853, September 7th, P.W. Gates & Co., Machine Shop Fire, Chicago.

The alarm of fire at 7 o'clock proceeded from a large three-story brick building on West Water Street, owned and occupied by P.W. Gates & Co., as a Car and Machine Shop. The fire caught in a fuel pen adjoining the engine spread rapidly to all parts of the building. The walls were left standing, but the roof and floors fell in, and the interior was totally destroyed. The woodwork for 60 cars was all ready for use but is a total loss. The full extent of the damages is about $15K. No insurance.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D. 

1853, September 1st, An Incendiary Fire, Chicago.

The alarm of fire at 11 o'clock was caused by the burning of three small sheds in an alley in the rear of J.C. Outhet's Wagon Shop on Franklin Street. There was almost $500 ($20K today) worth of smoked meat in one of the sheds, and the whole loss is about $1,600 ($63,500 today). The fire was the work of an incendiary. The premises adjoining were fired a few nights since but were extinguished without alarm. Several persons about town are watching their stores and dwellings, knowing incendiaries to be lurking about. It is for the safety of every individual to keep a strict lookout.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D. 

1853, June 21st, Fire Crackers Start a Fire, Chicago.

The forenoon fire consumed the barn of Mr. Penny, between Madison and Washington Streets, on the West Side; it being four or five blocks from the river, so the water was got in time to do any good, giving another illustration of the necessity of our new water works being finished as soon as possible. There was one horse burned belonging to a countryman. The fire was supposed to be occasioned by boys using firecrackers.

1853, June 21st, Fire Crackers.

For several weeks before the Fourth of July, Chicago communities are annoyed, more or less, by the firing in the public streets of squibs and crackers. The practice is becoming a serious nuisance and should be promptly corrected by our authorities. It is quite enough to have to endure hist source of disturbance of the quiet of the city during one day a year, and, as the festive spirit of our national anniversary gives to the evil the most unlimited license, the privilege should be confined strictly to that occasion. Besides the disagreeable din from which every citizen suffers, life and property are endangered by the liability of horses to become frightened by the explosion of torpedoes and crackers in our thoroughfares and the ease with which a serious conflagration may be caused by the fire that is carelessly thrown in every direction. It is to be hoped that this matter will receive the attention of Charles McNeill Gray, the Mayor of Chicago.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

1853, April 26th, Mr. Winbolt, an Upholsterer, Premises were set Ablaze, Chicago.

The alarm of Fire was occasioned by the burning of the premises belonging to Mr. Winbolt, an Upholsterer, at Randolph Street, situated on the alley between Clark and Dearborn Streets. A large quantity of hair and material for mattress making was consumed—no fire had been near the place all day, and it must have been set on fire by an incendiary [device].

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

1853, March 3rd, Fire Starts at Mr. Sheriff Bradley's Stable, Chicago.

On Thursday night, between 10 and 11 o'clock, the city was aroused by the cry of fire, which proved to be occasioned by the burning of a stable belonging to Mr. Sheriff Bradley, situated in the alley [in the] back of Madison Street. A quantity of hay in the building was immediately consumed and set fire to the Cabinet Shop of Mr. T. Manaham, which was severely damaged before the firemen could get the fire under [control]. We understand Mr. Manaham was insured.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.