The Spirit of Community in Delano is defined by the
Creativity, Resilience, and Community Investment of its people.
Founded 1874
Fire Department
245 2nd St N
The Delano Fire Department traces its beginnings to August 1, 1876, when local residents organized the Delano Hook and Ladder Company No. 1. Over the following decades, the department grew from volunteers using hand-operated equipment into an organized community fire service with engines, hose and ladder crews, rural fire trucks, tankers, and modern equipment. Its firefighters responded to many of Delano’s most memorable disasters, including fires that destroyed schools, mills, the Delano Elevator, the Riverside Inn/American Legion Club during the 1965 flood, and the Delano Theater. The department received a new station on Second Street in 1972 and moved into another new fire station there in 2002. Today, the Firefighters Memorial outside the station, featuring Delano’s original fire bell, honors generations of firefighters whose service and dedication have protected the community for well over a century.
Early photo of the Delano Fire Department, date unknown.
The Delano Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 was the pioneer fire company in Delano. It
was organized August 1, 1876, at the home of John Steffes. The officers elected were John Steffes, William Felkner, William L. Van Eman, G. T. Mulford, E. Kurtz, John Marth, Ole O. Erwig, Daniel Fish and Valentine Eppel. A truck was made in the village at a cost of $80, and the company had its first parade on October 26.
In 1879, the Delano Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 was reorganized as the Delano Fire Company. The first officials of the new organization were John Steffes, Henry C. Parslow and Andrew Rieder.
A special election was held in February of 1880 where it was voted to lay a tax of five mills to buy a hand fire engine. When the engine arrived, however, it was not satisfactory and was not accepted.
In May of 1880 the Empire Engine and Hose Company No. 1 was organized. Officers were H. H. Blum, A. J. Willard, Swan Erickson, C.B. Moody, E. J. Swedeback and O.J. Billings.
A fire engine was purchased from the city of Mankato in 1880 for $600. The village paid the Hook and Ladder Company $200 for its truck house, ladders, truck, apparatus, and fixtures, which included all its property except the flag. The Empire Engine and Hose Company was reorganized by the village, and with the Hook and Ladder Company included in the fire department. H. Dyer was chosen chief of the fire department, and John Steffes the first assistant.
“The Village has two organized fire companies, the Delano Hook & Ladder Co., the oldest and first organized fire company in the county, and the Empire Engine & Hose Co. Both companies have each a good outfit of fire apparatus, the property of the village, and hold regular meetings for drill and business.”
(from D. R. Farnham’s History of Wright County, 1880)
In 1881, at a special election, by a vote of 25 to 6, the people voted bonds to the amount of $1,000 payable $200 annually, for the purchase of a fire engine and other apparatus.
1886 map of Downtown Delano. Fire Engine House located on the river.
Delano City Hall, built in 1888
The new city hall was built in 1888 with room for the equipment of the hook and ladder and hose and fire engine companies.
In 1896 the village council reorganized the Fire Department to have a chief, three assistants, and a fire warden. Five crews of hose men and a hook and ladder crew were begun. Each crew consisted of seven or more men. A tower was added to the city hall, and a fire bell was purchased and installed in it.
The Delano Fire Department had a treasurer’s book to keep track of expenses and payments.
Shares for outlying farms were sold in 1931, and a fire truck was purchased for the rural areas.
A new country truck was purchased in 1948, and a tanker for water was purchased for country protection.
The fire department received a new home in 1972, when a bond passed to put up a new building on Second street.
The Delano Fire Department celebrated its 100-year anniversary in 1996.
A new Delano Fire Station was built in 2002 on Second Street.
The Firefighters Memorial, in front of the current fire station, lists the names of the firemen beginning in 1896. It also features the original fire bell.
1894 – The public school house burned down.
The public school building erected in 1882 on the corner of Elm and Second burned June 1, 1894. The following article appeared in the Delano Eagle on June 7: “The old saw about “locking the stable after the horse has been stolen,” found another very apt illustration last Saturday. At the fire Friday evening the fire engine was discovered to be utterly useless through neglect and lack of usage, so on Saturday, after the damage had been all done, it was thoroughly overhauled and placed into working order. While we do not pretend to say that even under the most favorable circumstances it could have extinguished the fire in question, it is capable, with proper care and attention, of doing good work in case of an ordinary dwelling house fire, which is all that is claimed for it.”
January 25, 1917 – The Great Northern Hotel fire.
”One of Delano’s oldest land marks, the Great Northern Hotel, which for many years was known as Young’s Hotel, suffered damage from fire last Friday morning when the rood was discovered to be ablaze about 6:40. Those who had not already risen heard the continuous whistling of a locomotive, which after some minutes conveyed the conviction that a fire was burning and that the attention of the fire department was needed. Then, through the storm windows came the gentle tinkle of the fire bell and those in a favorable position were able to locate the conflagration. Soon great volumes of smoke curled upwards and then shot forth angry tongues of flame which leapt up many feet.” (from the Delano Eagle, February 25, 1917)
“Carpenters are making repairs to the Great Northern hotel The top story is being torn down and the building will be reduced to two stories.”
March 15, 1900 – The A. E. Johnson & Bros. flouring mill burned down.
“At 5:30 o’clock last Friday morning the fire bell sounded the alarm. It did not take long to locate the conflagration, for the flames were pouring out at the mill. Within a few minutes the fire company was on hand and two streams were kept playing on the fire. It soon became apparent that there was nor the slightest hope of saving one of Delano’s mow important and successful business enterprises. The main building being completely enveloped in flames, the attention of the firemen was directed to the engine and boiler and their labors were not in vain for both of these expensive items, together with the boiler connections and pump, received no injury.”
(Great Northern Hotel, Early 1900’s)
1921 – The Delano Milling Company burned down.
“Shortly after three o’clock last Friday morning, during the electric storm, those who were awake were startled by the fire alarm and to find the mill burning. Owing to the fact that lights and telephone were put out of commission, the alarm was not given by ‘phone and very few of the firemen were aroused. Owing to the construction of the mill and it being so dry, the fire had made considerable headway. The fire was a spectacular one and the building was totally destroyed.” (from the Delano Eagle, September 1, 1921)
(1968 photo of building)
(Delano Flouring Mills, Bartlett Bros.)
October 30, 1926 – the Delano 1903 High school burned.
In 1926, there was another school fire. The high school building, which had been built in 1903, was discovered to have smoke coming through the roof. The alarm was turned in, and the Delano Fire Department responded immediately, as reported in the Delano Eagle, November 4, 1926. But “right here the citizens of Delano who were under the impression that the present fire equipment was adequate were given the surprise of their life. When water was turned on it was found that the stream did not reach the roof from the ground. The ladder equipment was also found to be short. One hose furnished water, and this was carried up on adjoining buildings and due to a lack of pressure did not render the desired service. At about this time a call was put in for the Watertown fire department. In a very short time flames shot out from all portions of the roof. A strong west wind was blowing and burning shingles were carried several blocks. Bucket brigades found incipient blazes on the roofs of surrounding houses. The seriousness of the situation was greatly lessened when the high school building roof caved in. At about this time, the Watertown fire department arrived on the scene. The skeptics were still skeptical until the pumper commenced to operate. The pumper shot a heavy stream of water which demonstrated clearly that had we a like apparatus the fire would have been put out with but little damage to the roof. The Delano fire department fought valiantly but were severely handicapped. When it was discovered that they could do nothing with the high school fire they contented themselves by saving the adjoining grade building dragging the only line of hose in service on top of the building and confining the loss to a partially burned roof in the northeast corner.
February 1, 1932 – Keplinger’s Red & White Store Damaged by Fire
The Delano Eagle reported “A fire which completely baffled the Delano Fire department broke out in the Red & White store, owned by Mrs. A. M. Keplinger, Monday night at about eleven o’clock. It was one of the most stubborn fires which has confronted the local fire department in years. There was no blaze to be found, but huge billows of smoke poured out of the front and back doors and through portions of the roof. The smoke was so thick that no one could enter, and the department had to be content to fight the fire from the front and rear parts of the building. Three streams of water were poured into the building from the time the fire was discovered until near daybreak. “
March 28, 1962 – Fire destroyed the Delano Elevator Company elevator and grinding mill. It was the biggest fire in Delano since the flour mill burned in the 1921.
April, 1965 – The Riverside Inn/ American Legion Club building burned during the flood.
“An ironic occurrence during the flood was the complete destruction of the Legion Club on Highway 12 by fire. Because of the flood waters, which completely surrounded the building, the fire department was unable to reach the scene.”
April 27, 1971 – The Delano Theater burned down. It was a four-alarm fire, and the building was a total loss.
1992 – The grandstand at the ballpark was burned down to make room for a new one.
An end of an era was reached Wednesday evening, September 23, when the Delano Fire Department burned down the Delano grandstand that had been a fixture in Delano since 1935. The council ordered the grandstand demolished because it was a safety hazard.
2006 – Stein’s barber shop of River Street was burned down in a controlled burn.
Burning of the former St. Peter’s Convent building in 2012.
Burning of the former St. Peter’s Convent building in 2012.
The block building and log cabin on the corner of River and Bridge
Some of the Major Fires
The Fire Department
78th Convention of the Minnesota State Fire Dept. Assn., Sauk Center, MN., 1953
Delano delegates standing in center.
Delano Fire Department, 1974
Delano Fire Department, 19__
Delano Fire Department, 19__
Delano Fire Department, ____?
Delano Fire Department, 1993-1994
Delano Fire Department, 2018
Back row: Ron Farniok, Arlie Zitzloff, Jerome Andreases, Allen (Swede) Swenson Middle row: George Sshaar, Len Schreder, LeRoy Sinkel, Wally Jaunich, Ed Lindenberg Front Row: Clyde Waddel, Johnny Dusa, Tom Holovania, Leland Shrode, Van Merriman, Winnie Sinkel, George (Nibs) Schumacher, Jim Janicula, Casey VanLith, George Plotnik, Jerry Lenowe Girls: Pat Merriman, Cheryl Brown, Mary Leiter, Cindy Otten
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