It's hard to believe that Engine 77 is no more. The house was finally torn down after standing for so many years, serving the community in its own unique way. On September 9, 2012, the demo was completed, and you could see everything from both the north and south sides. To the south, at 1226 S. Komensky, there’s now a completely rehabbed and occupied house. The almost 90-year-old firehouse to the north? Gone.
E77 holds a special place in history as one of the last single-engine firehouses in Chicago. The last single-engine station was built in the early 1950s (E113, just next door). These kinds of stations are becoming increasingly rare, especially ones with the rich history that E77 had. For a while, it had a bit of a reputation as a "punishment house," located on the outskirts of the city where the brass would send firefighters they didn't particularly care for. But despite this, E77 consistently produced experienced, seasoned firefighters who were later promoted to share their knowledge.
There are some amazing photos from October 24, 2007, capturing the station before its final days. Dan McInerney took these shots, which really show the character of the place. You can see the demolition process in action, with the iconic structure coming down piece by piece. Even after all the changes, remnants of its past still linger in photos like those taken recently, showing what remains of the abandoned firehouse.
Looking through the company journals gives a deeper insight into the life of E77. Journal 1 includes a memorable entry marking the retirement of my grandfather, who served for 35 years—apparently mandatory back then. The journal entries detail the officers and engineers, reflecting the two-platoon system used at the time. Each member’s personal details, such as their date of birth, entry into the Chicago Fire Department (CFD), and assignment to the company, were meticulously recorded.
My grandfather, John J. McInerney, transferred to E77 as an engineer on March 16, 1935. He began his career at E103 in 1917 when it was on Harrison Street. His journal entry notes his birthdate as August 15, 1889, and lists his previous occupation as a locomotive fireman. Next to that, it says he's from the US, followed by his badge number. The following page records his entry into the CFD on July 22, 1917, along with his address and phone number—1509 N. Luna, with the phone number Merrimac7-2510. This kind of detailed information was kept in company journals for decades.
As a kid, my father, Donald McInerney, often visited his dad at the firehouse. He used to call his dad the "ball driver" because shortly after my grandfather became an engineer, E77 got an Ahrens-Fox pumper with a distinctive chrome sphere on the front, giving rise to the nickname.
Family stories say my grandfather met his future wife one day at E103's firehouse. She noticed him riding by on an alarm and later went to the firehouse to complain about how he treated the horses.
The last company patch of E77 is something to cherish. It’s intriguing how the phrase "I Like It Here" became associated with the station.
For anyone interested in seeing more pictures, including those from E77's last day in service, I've shared them on my Facebook page, "facebook.com/dmcinerney1." Feel free to check it out if you want to explore even more memories tied to this historic firehouse.
Titanium Alloy Seamless Spiral Tube
Titanium Alloy Seamless Spiral Tube,Titanium Alloy Welded Steel Pipe,High Strength Titanium Spiral Tube,Medical Titanium Alloy Spiral Tube
Jiangsu Maihe New Materials Technology Co., Ltd , https://www.maihetube.com