Another installment about the History of the Evanston Fire Department
The 20th Century Visionary
Since the annexation of South Evanston by the Village of Evanston in 1892, the residents of South Evanston felt overlooked and underrepresented. This sentiment was especially strong in the early 1900s. However, things began to change when James Patten, a mayoral candidate with a clear vision for the city, actively reached out to the South Evanston community. His efforts paid off when he won the election in 1901, and he quickly fulfilled his promises by improving city services, including those of the fire department.
Patten had already made a name for himself as a key figure in the city, having helped establish Evanston Hospital in 1891 and supporting Northwestern University. His political influence extended beyond the 7th Ward, and he became a popular leader in the 3rd and 4th Wards—South Evanston’s main districts. With his new position, he wasted no time in making changes, starting with the Fire Department.
On April 23, 1901, Mayor Patten dismissed long-time Fire Marshal Sam Harrison. Known for his flamboyant style and numerous conflicts, Harrison had accumulated many enemies during his tenure. Patten cited three official reasons for the dismissal: conflict of interest due to Harrison holding two full-time jobs, lax discipline regarding civilian visits in firehouse bunkrooms, and alleged mismanagement in equipment purchases. These were the official justifications, but many believed there was more to the story.
Rather than choosing a traditional candidate, Patten appointed Ed Mersch, an assistant engineer from Engine Co. 1, as the new Fire Marshal. Mersch was not a company officer and had no experience in leadership roles, but he was from South Evanston and had a college education—an extremely rare trait among firefighters at the time. From Patten’s perspective, Mersch was the ideal choice to lead the EFD into the 20th century.
Under Mersch’s leadership, the focus was on modernizing fire protection in South Evanston. The old Fire Station #2, which had served as a village hall, police station, and firehouse since 1892, was in need of major upgrades. Though initially considered for renovation, the costs were too high, so the city opted for a new building instead. The result was a $6,000 three-bay fire station opened on February 15, 1903, at 750 Chicago Avenue.
The new station housed six firefighters, including a captain, a lieutenant, four firemen, and four horses. It was equipped with two apparatus: a four-wheeled hose cart and a 1902 Seagrave combination truck, which could perform both ladder and chemical engine functions. These vehicles were cutting-edge at the time and were later used by other departments like Wilmette and Chicago.
Mersch also brought technical improvements to the EFD, such as refurbishing the Babcock chemical engine in 1902, which extended its service life by over a decade. However, his leadership was short-lived. Disputes with firefighters led to his firing in May 1905, despite strong support from South Evanston residents who believed the move was politically motivated. He died at only 38 years old in 1911.
Meanwhile, Sam Harrison, the former Fire Marshal, continued to serve the city in various capacities, eventually becoming a Justice of the Peace, Deputy County Assessor, and City Building Inspector. He lived to be 86, passing away in 1939. The legacy of Patten and Mersch, though brief, marked a significant turning point in the evolution of the Evanston Fire Department, setting the stage for future growth and modernization.
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