Anamosa - A Reminiscence 1838 - 1988

town where the hose companies could attach their
hoses. Water pressure was limited to that generated by
the height of the reservoir location above the main part
of the city.
Fires that occurred beyond the reach of the hose were
fought with a bucket brigade.
One of the early records gives the following
description of a fire — “April 2, 1907. Bell rang at 2: 15
a.m. on account of the old foundry on Strawberry hill
being wrapped in flames. Dept. proceeded to the scene
and busied themselves putting out small fires on the
roofs of neighboring buildings. The building involved
was entirely cleared of its wooden parts. 16 members
on the scene."
Another interesting account of a flre on August 31.
1908, reads. "At 8:00 p.m. alarm was sounded for fire
at the five-cent theatre on Main Street in the building
across from the Easterly Hotel. Cause of fire — films on
the machine. Flames put out in short time".
On November 20, 1908. "The Dept. was called to
Amber. The Chicago 8: Northwestern train carried the
companies to that place. Companies arrived too late to
be of any service. Mr. Steckel was the victim of being
burned to death."
On December 20, 191 1, "The rear of Ramsey
Hendricksen‘s livery barn was discovered in flames at
5:00 a.m. After a hard fight, about half the building
was saved with the loss of three horses".
Roof fires were numerous, caused by sparks from
chimneys to wood shingles that were in common use
during that period. Kerosene lamps and lanterns were
frequently listed as causing fires.
Fires occuring in buildings in the outlying areas of
the city usually resulted in the complete destruction of
the building involved. Apparently, efforts were often
directed towards preventing the fire from spreading.
rather than trying to extinguish the fire at its source.
1918 was a landmark year for the Anamosa Fire
Department. On March 18th of that year, the record
shows the minutes of the first meeting of the Anamosa
Auto Truck Co. That must have been a tremendous
boost to the department's fire fighting capabilities,
compared to the hose cart and ladder wagon used
previously.
The minutes stated, “In the organizing of a
consolidated company of 16 members to run, operate,
and care for the new auto truck purchased by the city
for the Fire Department, these 16 men having been
selected by the city council as follows — five from each
of the two hose companies, five from the the Hook 8:
Ladder Co.. and one chief, P.E. Lowe.
The first Anamosa Fire Truck was a custom built
machine, manufactured by the Arens-Fox Fire
Equipment Company.
A report given at the end of 1923 showed the Fire
Department answered fourteen alarms that year. Seven
of those involved losses of over $5.00 and one was for
$845. Total fire loss for the year was $1,042.
On November 9, 1924, the record shows the
department answered an alarm at 8:10 p.m. at the L.W.
Russell Garage. The fire loss was $13,300. which was a
considerable amount in those days.
On January 8, 1925. there was a meeting at the city
council room for the purpose of reorganizing the
Anamosa Fire Department. Miles Landis was elected
Chief. Jim Porter, First Assistant Chief, and E.W.
Corwin. Second Assistant Chief.
Jim Porter replaced Miles Landis as fire chief in 1926.
and continued in that position for several years, except
for a period when Curly Schuchman was chief.
About 1927, the alarm bell was replaced with an
electric powered siren. A control button for the siren
was located in the Central Telephone Office. The
telephone operators tested the siren at noon each day.
This practice is still continued: however, now the test is
activated by an automatic timer.
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