When the Gong Rings
A Fire History of Charleston, Illinois
Compiled by Howard Taylor
Part Two:  the New Fire House and Modernization
Area Fire Log  1960-1963
NEW STATION, RARDIN BUILDING FIRE HITS SQUARE
A History On-Line Resource Page by Howard Taylor


1960

January 7, 1960- East side of square; Snyder Tailoring Shop, 5:20 P.M.; "strategy" saves the east side of square

February 19,1960- Neal Hutton retires

February 20,1960- Bud Hildebrand appointed fireman

August 15-17— Mel Taylor attends the Kennedy Arson & Bomb Seminar at McCormick Place in Chicago

August 25,1960- 328 W. Harrison

December 20, 1960- Firemen & VFW ladies help the poor for Christmas

1961

April 1, 1961- Stanley Pearcy appointed Captain

July 1, 1961- Pay raise for firemen/policemen made law in Illinois

(?), 1961-   Bomb scare at Jefferson School

November 4, 1961- CFD move into new station at 10th and Madison


At Left is Captain Mel Taylor

At Right is Commissioner Jene Thoma


1962

January 14,1962- Dorite Printing Press & Manufacturing Company

January 29, 1962-   Trailer fire; 7:00 A.M., 420 W. State, Parker Trailer Sales; was unoccupied; another trailer fire at the home of Mrs. Edna Bettinger, 1112 Harrison St.; total loss with several thousands of dollars in damage


December 27, 1962- Mel Taylor presents petition
from firemen and officers to council to ask for pay increases from $340.00 to $400.00 per month, as well as to establish "a system of remuneration for longevity in service."

December 2,1962- 27 EIU students poisoned by carbon monoxide at Hernando's Hideway rooming house, at 4th St. near Lincoln St.

1963

March 4, 1963- Ivan Kennard residential fire, S. 4th St.; 8:00 A.M.; caused by lightning striking a dormer in the upper story

March 4,1963- George Milliner & Mel Taylor receive new Red Cross splints from Ruby Hutchinson

June 12,1963- Charleston Food Service, ammonia leak from freezer lockers

June (?)- Messick/Witmer building fire (?)


December 19,1963- Rardin Building burns; 6th and Jackson; major fire, three-story building totally destroyed


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