The Fire Hall was originally built in 1895. It once housed the Asylum Laundry. For those of you who know Eloise well enough… do you recognize the building? It was remodeled in 1932 and, yes, it is one of the few remaining buildings that stands to this day.. right next to a shopping center with modern goodies.

Fire Protection

In the early days of the Institution , the only concern given for fire protection was to place water barrels at convenient locations about the buildings. These buckets were placed in ward halls on elevated shelves. The wood barrels deteriorated very rapidly and created maintenance problems; the water froze in the wintertime.

In 1870 iron tanks were placed within the buildings with connections from eaves troughs to furnish the water supply. Overflows which went to cisterns for storage of water for other uses were provided. To provide better fire protection for the buildings, two buckets were placed in each of the buildings upon elevated shelves. Mr. Thomas Harvey was assigned the daily task of inspection of each building to insure the placement of the buckets and to check the water supply.

However, in 1886, as a new “Administration Building” (old “A”) was under construction, a section of the north end of the east wing of this building was set aside as a fire hall. It was 12 feet by 19 feet in diameter and was solidly built in order to support an iron water tank with an elevation of 20 feet. Beneath the tank was constructed room for horse-carts and miscellaneous fire-fighting apparatus. This tank served until 1898, when it began to leak so badly that the engineer shut off the feed pipes to it. In May, 1901 it was torn down.

The horse barn, which stood where the Carpenter Shop was later located, was burned the night of January 10, 1888. This was the second consequential fire; the first fire occurred in 1864 when the school building burned down. The burning of this barn brought the matter of fire protection up again; axes and fire buckets were placed in all the buildings, and the Eloise Fire Department came into official being when Mr. David May, the facility engineer, was appointed Chief of the Fire Brigade. The horse-carts, hose, fire extinguishers, and sundry material were purchased. In June, 1891, a triangle, which was used to summon the fire brigade to practice on a fire, was purchased and hung under the water tank. In 1891, 600 feet of additional fire hose and two fire ladders were purchased. When the County House wings were erected in 1889, an iron tank was installed in each wing. The engineer was instructed to see that all the tanks were kept full. An electric signaling device notified the boiler house when the tanks were full so that the water might be shut off.

In March, 1892, the Board made arrangements with the Michigan Central Railroad Company to send an engine and flatcar with a fire engine from the Detroit Fire Department to the Institution in case of an uncontrollable fire. A platform for unloading the engine was built at the passenger depot. Rubber coats and hats were purchased for members of the Department.

A small fire in the Administration Building in 1892 was handled with so much skill by the Fire Department that the Board of Supervisors decided to purchase a new water pump.

In 1893, the first regular fire hydrants, connected by a line of 3-inch pipe with a tank and pump pressures, were put in about the grounds.

In March, 1893, the Superintendents employed a mechanical engineer to make a formal inspection of the heating line and fire apparatus. The engineer’s report was given to the Board in April; it recommended the purchase of additional fire hose, a new hose-cart, new brass nozzles, a new duples pump, six ladders, and a ladder truck. The engineer also recommended the keeping of 70 pounds of pressure on the high-pressure boiler at all times, the installation of a new boiler for this purpose, the reservation of the old boilers for heating, and the erection of a water tower taller that any of the buildings. He further recommended that the Chief of the Fire Department should not be the engineer.

The artificial lake was the next important step useful in fire protection. In 1895 an iron tank, 15 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 12 feet high, was installed in the attic of the center building of the County House.

In 1897 the Detroit Fire Department Assistant Chief submitted a report on the condition of the Eloise Fire Department and made several suggestions which included a line of hose for all floors in the buildings and a hose to be mounted on swinging brackets. His report also included the purchase of a new hose-cart supplied with toolbox, axle bar, nozzle couplers, fire-hooks, and ropes. The erection of new fire escapes on some buildings was suggested. The report also suggested that the single hydrants be changed to double hydrants. Each hall was to be supplied with a fire extinguisher, and the extinguisher was to be tested and recharged once a month.

In the following February, the Board reorganized the Fire Department. It consisted of a Chief, who was an engineer; a Lieutenant, who was assisted by five pipe-men; five ladder-men; and six substitutes.

In 1905, a new conduit from the Boiler House to the rear of Building “D” was constructed. A four-inch hydra-line was installed in the new conduit which went the entire distance with nine branch lines running to as many new hydrants.

In 1907 the Board contracted for the erection of a water tower 120 feet high which held 50,000 gallons of water. The base of the tower is 19 feet square solid concrete, and the supporting columns are rigid steel girders. The tank was directly connected to the hydrant lines and the domestic water system. This was used as an auxiliary in case of the shutdown of the pumps; and as it was about 75 feet higher than any of the buildings at that time, the gravity pressure was sufficient to cover any building. This water tower was located on the south side of Gruber Auditorium.

Over the years, the Detroit Fire Department made frequent visits upon request and inspected the equipment.

On April 17, 1909, the Superintendents established the Fire Department under the direction of a professional fireman as Chief and an assistant, likewise a professional fireman, assisted by five pipe-men, five ladder-men, and six substitutes. In the next year, the Board changed the Gamewell Fire Alarm switch-board from the engine room to the headquarters of the Chief; and it connected with an automatic fire alarm whistle at the Boiler House. In the same year, oilskin coats and hats were purchased for members of the Department; also purchased were 600 feet of two and a half-inch hose, and additional fire extinguishers and extention lines. As of that date, the fire apparatus consisted of one portable fire truck equipped with 324 feet of ladders, ceiling hooks, access ropes, hose ladders, wrecking hoods, 12 waterproof coats and hats, and 12 pairs of rubber boots. There were five extra ladders of various lengths.

In 1916 the Board built a small brick structure on the site of the former well house east of the lake and over a deep well reservoir to house a pumping station. Two direct-driven Rees Roturbo Centrifugal pumps were installed, driven by 35-horsepower Westinghouse motors. The power of the two pumps could be combined for doubling the pressure or the supply. Each pump, working under a pressure of 70 pounds, would let into the mains 600 gallons a minute, or the two combined, 1,200 gallons. In 1925 the pumps and motors were moved to the basement of the softening plant; the pump house was torn down the same year.

In December, 1919, the Blacksmith’s Shop at the Asylum was destroyed by fire. A wooden building, it burned down to the ground almost before the Fire Department arrived.

In January, 1923, the Board purchased Oberchain-Boyer chemical equipment on a Ford truck, a ladder truck, ten fire ladders, two hose-carts, and a thousand feet of hose. The months later, a fire broke out at 11 a.m. in the cornice of the northeast wing of “E” Building; and due to strong gusting winds, a large fire developed. The Institutional Fire Department rushed to the scene only to find that the hydrant line pressure was not sufficient to place streams of water up in the cornrice of the building. The hoses within the building were likewise useless because of the lack of pressure. Neighboring fire departments in Wayne and Dearborn responded but found their equipment to be similar to the Institution’s and could do nothing to abate the fire. A call was placed to the Detroit Fire Department which made the run from 16 miles away.

At this time, there were 250 female patients in the building; many of them bedridden. Evacuation of the patients had already begun. The flames, fanned by strong wind, soon reached the middle and east wings at just about the time the Detroit Fire Department engines were seen rounding the hilltop. By this time, the fire had gained great headway and was threatening the adjacent double residence. Two fires broke out in the latter but were quickly extinguished by the local fire fighters. The powerful engines from Detroit soon had the fire under control; but the entire roof, attic, and ceiling of the third floor were destroyed. Two patient lost their lives.

The Governing Board was deeply chagrined at the inefficiency of the hydrant lines and took steps at once to remedy the situation. The Detroit Fire Department was called in for consultation. It was recommended that booster pumps be installed in the pump house south of Michigan Avenue, so tied in that they could be supplied from either the lake or the Dearborn lines, and that as many two-way hydrants of the type used in the City of Detroit be placed so that at least two 4 1/2-inch hydrants would not be over 500 feet apart.

The report was referred to the Building and Repair Committee of the Board, and the Committee proceeded to ask for bids on the proposed hydrant lines and the two booster pumps. In August, 1923, contracts were let; and a new hydrant line was constructed which formed two loops and circled the Institution buildings. The entire line, including said lines to the pumps and to 22 hydrants, was nearly two miles long. Booster pumps were installed in the basement of the softening plant which had the capacity of 800 gallons a minute, under a pressure at the pump of 100 pounds.

The set-up on pipe connections of these fire pumps was so arranged that either or both pumps could take their supply from the water main from Dearborn, from the storage tank, or from the lake.

Two other fires broke out: On February 23, 1924, at which time the new Power Plant was under construction, the temporary wooden enclosure around the west boilers caught fire and burned completely; but the prompt work of the Hospital Firemen prevented the fire from spreading to other parts of the building. The second fire occurred on January 26, 1926, in the northwest corner on the second floor of the bakery, which was quickly put out.

In 1929 when it was decided to build a new Administration and Hospital Building on the site of the old Administration Building, the Fire Department was provided with new quarters in what had been the old Asylum laundry, a building constructed in 1895. An extension of 21 feet was added to the building; the lower floor was given to the use of fire-fighting equipment; and the upper floor, to the Fire Chief and his family. The building was remodeled again in 1932.

In 1929 the Board again requested the Detroit Fire Department to make another survey of the fire apparatus at Eloise. This survey recommended that the fire pumps be automatically regulated and that the hydrant lines remain under pump pressure at all times. It further recommended that all wooden ward doors be changed to fire doors.

On November 27, 1930, a fire broke out in the north end of the east cement Piggery. The Fire Department confined the fire to about 50 feet of the north end. Upon the request of Dr. Gruber, the Medical Superintendent, the Fire Marshal of Detroit made a resurvey and reiterated the recommendations of the former report relative to the necessity for automatic control fire pumps and constant pressure hydrant lines.

In 1931 the Dearborn Fire Department Chief surveyed the Hospital’s firefighting ability and made suggestions along the same lines as the Detroit Fire Marshal. Since the then new Infirmary Building “N” had been constructed in that year, emphasis was placed on the necessity for providing a greater water supply for the new Infirmary Building. Both Fire Marshals had recommended the installation of four couplings on the fire hydrants so that the Detroit and Dearborn equipment could be readily utilized.

The actual mechanization of the Fire Department began in 1919 with the purchase of a 1919 Model T Ford pumper (which was maintained by the Hospital for display purposes and parades up until the Institutions closing). This vehicle was in service until 1932, at which time a $12,250 American LaFrance truck was a V-12 cylinder, 240-horsepower engine, rotary gear pump, and a $10,045 American LaFrance service truck, with a 6-cylinder, 121-horsepower engine were purchased.

The new apparatus was delivered August 2, 1932. On September 12, the Board purchased a small Barton pump for $400 and installed it in the front of the old chemical engine. At the same time, miscellaneous equipment, such as firemen’s clothing, also was purchased; the Gamewell Fire Alarm System was brought up to date; and the number of personnel of the Department was increased.

In connection with the water supply needed for the Fire Department to function, it should be mentioned that in 1931, at the time “N” Building was constructed, a water reservoir was built. It was of reinforced concrete, 172 feet long, 124 feet wide, and 10 feet deep. The bottom walls and the top were 12 inches thick. The top was supported by 15 concrete columns. Capacity is 1,500,000 gallons. On the east side of the tanks, four section hydrants were installed close to the new concrete road built in front of the building. Fire hydrants were then distributed at convenient points around the building and the barns.

In the last 40 years of the Institution, additional changes have taken place which had kept the Fire Department modernized and well trained. Since 1950, all Hospital Firemen have been required to attend the Detroit Fire Academy for 240 hours of training. In 1963 the Hospital purchased a new 100-foot Seagrave Aerial and a 1,000-gallon-per-minute Mach pumper. The alarm system was also modernized so that the Fire Department could respond to a call from any building on the grounds within a matter of a few minutes.

In the budget year, 1977-78, the County Commissioners eliminated funding for the Hospital Fire Department. This action was caused by the reduction of a number of buildings to be serviced due to the vacating of most of the psychiatric buildings as well as the sale of the Long Term Care Facility, which left only the General Hospital and the “N” Building active.

Thereupon, the Hospital Board directed that discussions be held with the Westland Fire Department to determine the feasibility of coverage by that organization. In the meantime, the Board requested funding for the Hospital Fire Department to continue its operation pending the negotiations. In 1980 the Human Resources Committee of the Board of Commissioners requested that Westland, the Hospital, and the Board of Auditors each report on the matter. The Hospital Board then requested the County to separately fund the Fire Department apart from the Hospital budget in order to provide fire protection to other County departments on the grounds, such as the Health Department and the Sheriff Department.

The matter of fire protection was never resolved in the last years of Eloise’s existence.

The Fire Department, up to 1978, consisted of 18 men – the Chief, the Lieutenant, two Sergeants, and 14 Firefighters. Ironically, the latter number is he exact number of men that were in the first officially organized Fire Brigade in 1898. In 1980, the Hospital Fire Department consisted of eight men.

[ This information presented in whole from “A History of the Wayne County Infirmary, Psychiatric, and General Hospital Complex at Eloise, Michigan” by Alvin C. Clark; pages 115-121. ]