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1860

Text Box: Oct. 8, 1871-Great Peshtigo Fire.  Vol. Fire Capt. Frank Felix sends crews to Peshtigo. Text Box: 1869-Oconto becomes a city.  2 Fire Wardens appointed to the 2 city wards.  One duty was to inspect buildings for fire hazards.

 

 

  

 

 

 


 

1870

Text Box: 1873-City Council authorizes 2 separate volunteer fire companies.    A 2nd station is built near the corner of Pecor and Farnsworth. Text Box: July 1872-City Council oks $7,000 to erect 1st fire station with new pumper and equipment on Congress St.

 

 

  

 

 

 


 

1880

Text Box: 1891-New fire station/city hall built on the corner of Pecor and Michigan.  15 Alarm boxes located throughout the city. Text Box: Dec. 22, 1890-Station 1/city hall on Congress St. burns along with the Presbyterian Church and the Funk Block Building.  No hydrants in the city.

 

 

  

 

 

 


 

1890

 

Text Box: 1895-Old Courthouse Burned. Text Box: 1902-1st Armory destroyed by fire. Text Box: Sep. 1899-Large fire at Oconto Company Saw Mill.  Marinette and Green Bay FDs were called to assist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

1900

 

Text Box: 1907-Court House tower and upper half of building burned. Text Box: 1910-City Council establishes the Police and Fire Commission.  Fire department becomes a fulltime department.  Burt Harris is the first Fire Chief.

 

 

  

 

 


 

1910

 

 

Text Box: 1920-1st fire truck purchased.  Truck consisted of a combination chemical tank, hook-and-ladder, and hose cart. 

 

 

 

 


 

Text Box: May 1925-Major fire at Holt Hardwood Company.  Severe damage to electrical equipment and structure. 

 

1920

 

 

Text Box: 1926-2nd Armory destroyed by fire. Text Box: 1930-Last horse retired and replaced with a 500gpm pumper with a 100 gal booster tank, ladders, and 1200 ft. of hose.

 

 

  

 

 


 

 

 

Text Box: Oconto Fire Chiefs Bert Harris                1910-   ?      Thomas Looney      ?   -1942        John Reed                1942-1963    Frank Klozotsky      1963-1969         Gaylord Fritz           1969-1977  Michael Hoppe       1977-Present

 

Text Box: This timeline depicts some of the major events of the department’s history.  The events listed here are based on recent research and every effort has been made to ensure accuracy.  Please contact us if you notice anything inaccurate or missing.

 

1930