Another installment about the History of Evanston Fire Department
The 20th Century Reforms
Since the annexation of South Evanston by the Village of Evanston in 1892, residents of the southern area often felt overlooked by city leaders. This sentiment was particularly strong in the early 1900s, when local politics were still heavily influenced by the more established parts of the city. However, this changed with the election of James Patten as mayor in 1901. Patten, a candidate who actively reached out to South Evanston voters, won the election and promised better services for the community—especially in terms of public safety.
Patten had a long history of involvement in the city’s development. He was instrumental in establishing Evanston Hospital in 1891 and was also a major donor to Northwestern University. His popularity among the 7th Ward gave him political leverage, but his efforts to gain support from the 3rd and 4th Wards (South Evanston) marked a turning point in the region's relationship with the city government.
In April 1901, just months after taking office, Mayor Patten dismissed longtime Fire Marshal Sam Harrison. Harrison, known for his flamboyant personality, had accumulated many enemies during his time in charge. The official reasons cited for his dismissal included conflicts of interest, lax discipline, and questionable purchasing practices. While these may have been legitimate concerns, many believed that Patten’s decision was politically motivated.
Patten then appointed Ed Mersch, an assistant engineer from Engine Company 1, as the new Fire Marshal. Mersch was an unexpected choice—he had no experience as a company officer and wasn’t even the most senior engineer in the department. But he came from South Evanston and had a college education, which was rare for a firefighter at the time. For Patten, Mersch represented both a political ally and a symbol of progress.
Under Mersch’s leadership, the Evanston Fire Department began to modernize. One of the first projects was the upgrade of fire protection in South Evanston. This included expanding staffing, acquiring new equipment, and renovating or replacing Fire Station #2, which had served as a multi-purpose building since the annexation in 1892.
By 1901, the station housed only three firefighters from Hose Company 2. The building, originally designed as a village hall, police station, and jail, was outdated and lacked sufficient space for modern firefighting needs. After evaluating the costs, the city decided to build a new fire station on the same site. The new $6,000 facility opened in February 1903 and featured two advanced pieces of equipment: a four-wheeled hose cart and a Seagrave combination truck, which could handle both ladder and chemical engine duties.
Mersch used his engineering background to make several improvements to the department’s equipment, including the refurbishment of the Babcock chemical engine, which extended its service life by over a decade. Despite these achievements, his tenure was short-lived. He clashed with the firefighters under his command and was eventually fired in 1905 by Mayor James Barker. Many in South Evanston believed the dismissal was politically driven, and Mersch died at the young age of 38 in 1911.
Meanwhile, Sam Harrison, though removed from his position, continued to serve the city in other capacities. He became a Justice of the Peace, worked as a Deputy County Assessor, and later served as a City Building Inspector. He lived a long and respected life, passing away at the age of 86 in 1939.
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