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Fire department hits 125-year mark
Submitted Photo - The McKinney Fire Department proudly displayed its fleet of trucks in front of city hall in the earlier part of the 20th century. This photograph and others are on display at the MFD museum, located at the Central Fire Station at 301 N. McDonald Street in McKinney.
By Dan Eakin, deakin@acnpapers.com
The McKinney Fire Department (MFD) this week is noting 125 years of service to the community.
The fire department has a rich history, from the late 1800s when it used hand-pulled carts to fight fires to the modern 72,000-pound trucks that firefighters use today.
Stacie Durham, MFD public information officer who provided a brief history of the fire department, said, "The history of the McKinney Fire Department is multi-faceted, and it is impossible to mention all of the milestones and achievements."
"On Jan. 27, 1887, the McKinney square was burned to the ground," Durham said. "We lost 15 businesses, and the town was devastated. One month later, on Feb. 15, the McKinney Volunteer Fire Department was organized. This included two companies: the H.C. Herndon Hook & Ladder and the Throckmorton Engine and Hose."
C.T. (Todd) Warren, who was serving as city marshal, also assumed fire chief duties. He was appointed for a one-year term as fire chief, but left the office after 11 months. A.L. Jones was named the second fire chief of the town and served from 1887 to 1890.
"Two more companies were organized as McKinney grew," Durham said. "The Fred & Roy Hook & Ladder was formed on Jan. 2, 1892 and the Sam Burks Hose Co. #2 on Jan. 18, 1894. During that time, Sam Burks was appointed fire chief as well as city marshal. He remained fire chief until he was accidentally shot on June 11, 1902, in the line of duty. He died of his wounds the following day."
During the first 15 years of fire service for McKinney, many changes came upon the McKinney Volunteer Fire Department. The first carts were pulled by hand, but eventually two horses, named Buddy and Old Glen, were bought for $150 each and were used to pull the carts.
After fires were doused using bucket brigades for the first 15 years, the volunteer fire department obtained a steamer engine that the local newspaper said was "one of the finest fire engines in the state."
A new fire station was built in conjunction with city offices on Kentucky Street across from the Collin County Prison. It housed fire apparatus with a bunk room and meeting room on the second floor. A pool table was added to the top room around 1909. The pool table is now located in the museum at the Central Fire Station. The museum contains apparatus and photographs from the past and a history of the fire department.
Around the turn of the century, several men served short terms as fire chief until J.S. McKinney took the post and served as fire chief for 35 years, after 11 years as a firefighter. He also served as city marshal most of that time. He was voted Fire Chief for Life by the men he led back in the 1920s and 1930s. He also led two state conventions in McKinney in 1907 and in 1924.
"The men and women of the McKinney Fire Department know and understand the sacrifices made to begin this wonderful organization and want to keep the history alive," Durham said.
People are welcome to visit the MFD museum at the Central Fire Station, located at 301 N. McDonald Street. To schedule a tour for a group, or for other information, call the MFD Fire & Life Safety Education office at 972-547-2893 or go to www.mckinneyfire.org.
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