of Engineers constructed a huge facility covering over 900 acres, erecting huge warehouses that were several blocks long. At this time, five more firefighters were added, making the total number of personnel fifteen. As the population and industries grew, so did the fire department. In war time production, swelling the population to 29,000. In 1941, people flocked to Granite City to work The City Fathers voted to buy two American-LaFrance, 500 GPM Pumpers. This station was badly needed for fire protection due to the many delays and stoppages by trains at three different railroad crossings.ĭuring 1923, the first mechanical equipment was purchased. In 1922 the volunteers were totally abolished, and a new station was constructed on the west side of town at Cayuga Street and Rock Road. The total personnel at this time consisted of ten volunteers and six paid men who operated out of the sole fire house at 19 th and State St (Currently GCFD Museum). In 1921 the all volunteer fire department was abolished and became part-paid and part-volunteer. As the demand for products made in Granite City increased, the railroads and trucking industries also expanded. Historical data available indicates that the first large fire was at the Continental Wire Works and The Drummond Box Factory (American Steel Co).īy 1920, heavy and light industry flourished and expanded, as well as residential and commercial building. The man responsible for forming the volunteer fire department was Fred Stegelmeyer, who would also become the first fire chief and would remain so for sixteen of his twenty-five years as a member of the department. The only equipment available at this time was a manpowered hose cart. Shortly after Granite City was incorporated in 1896, a volunteer fire department was established to serve the population of 992.
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