Category Archives: Fire Dept. Events

Fire Department Events in Time

1929 Progress Edition of the Marion Daily Republican

Posted on by September 9, 2023

Clyde Bailey 1929 Police ChiefA few of the articles extracted from a special 1929 Progress Edition of the Marion Daily Republican newspaper reflects the state of the city of Marion on its 90th year of existence as follows.

Marion the county seat of Williamson County is the oldest city in the county and as such is one of the most stable cities of the rich Southern Illinois or Egyptian coal fields where it is with its more than one and a half million dollars’ worth of public improvements the home city of 15,000 people. Continue reading →

1970, Fire Dept.’s Last Run Out of the Old Fire House

Posted on by August 12, 2013

Fire Dept last run 1_28_70On last run from the old “fire barn”. Fireman Bob Yost pilots fire truck on way to new station on North Court Street. Fireman Jack Wells is beside him. Transfer of firefighting equipment from the former old station which had been in use since it was in reality a horse barn more than 50 years ago was affected at noon Wednesday. Continue reading →

1959, Keystone Cops on Fire Engine #4, Marion, Illinois

Posted on by February 14, 2013
Keyston Cops as Firemen ca 1959

Keyston Cops as Firemen ca 1959

In the mid 1950’s throught the early 1960’s the Marion Elks Club in cooperation with the Marion Illinois Fire Department would annually promote fire safety. Each year, Elks Club members would dress as Keystone Cops and board the fire engine loaded with fake guns and candy to distribute. The engine would make the rounds of the local schools and hand out candy to the children. Sam Lattuca, my father, would regularly participate in this event. He is shown in the center of this picture pointing the gun. Continue reading →