Community members worried about “the tinder-box nature of the buildings, and how closely they are jammed together.”

Initial attempts to organize an Ishpeming fire department in the spring of 1870 led to a system of water mains along the principal streets. The company also had a small portable steam engine and pump, one hose truck and about 500 feet of hose. Unfortunately, the organization operated more as a social club rather than an effective fire department. The fire company was reorganized in May 1873, with two hose companies and a hook and ladder company, all of which were well equipped.

A Mining Journal article, “Carnival of the Fire Fiend” told the tale of the day Ishpeming’s luck ran out. Many Ishpeming residents were at church on a cold Sunday night, April 19, 1874. Around 8 o’clock a fire broke out in a building on Main Street between Division and Pearl Streets. The building was occupied by Sam Rice’s liquor & cigar store and Neely & Eddy’s hardware store.

Even though it was April, several of the fire plugs were frozen, which allowed the blaze to get a good start. In the days of wooden water mains, volunteer firefighters or civilians would dig up the main and chop a hole in it to draw water for their hoses. After extinguishing the fire, the main would be sealed with a “fire plug.” The next time there was a fire in the area, they would dig up the plug and not have to cut into the main. A bucket brigade also formed, drawing water from Partridge Creek, behind the Peninsula Bank.

A map from The Mining Journal article showing the extent of the Ishpeming fire. (Photo courtesy of the Marquette Regional History Center)

The scene was described as a wild one, with streets full of household goods which had been thrown and dragged from homes and businesses. There were reports of looting, with quite a bit of attention given to several barrels of whiskey.

During the confusion, Mrs. Mathews suffered a seizure “from fright” and died a short time later. Three men fell or jumped off buildings; one was seriously injured although the other two were remarkably unhurt.

Over the course of three hours, three blocks of downtown were consumed by the fire. The burned area stretched from First Street in the east, past Pine Street in the west, and from Division Street to the south, north to Pearl Street.

The conditions of the buildings prior to the fire, which had concerned the community, also caused prohibitively expensive insurance premiums, so most of the buildings lacked fire insurance. It was estimated that the insurance would only cover $30,000 out of the $150,000 in damages.

The Negaunee firefighters set out with their engine to help but before they reached Ishpeming, they were called back to Negaunee where a fire had been discovered around 9 o’clock in a building owned by James Nesbitt on Iron Street. As the firefighters attempted to turn the engine around, it tipped over and despite feverish work on the part of the men, it had to be abandoned there. The firefighters returned to Negaunee to see what they could do without equipment. A bucket brigade was organized to keep the fire from spreading.

As for the Marquette firefighters, they organized a special train to take them to Ishpeming. By the time they arrived, everything was fairly under control, but they were able to stop and help with the Negaunee fire on their way home.

One young woman, Dora Gleason, was injured in Negaunee when an empty bucket fell on her head, leaving a severe gash. Five buildings were consumed in the fire, which was suspected to have been deliberately set. The losses were estimated at $15,000, with only $2,500 covered by insurance. The following morning, the engine was recovered with only minor damage.