Ann Arbor (Mich.) Fire Department records, 1850-1962

Summary

Creator:

Ann Arbor (Mich.). Fire Department.

Abstract:

Minute books of the Fire Department and of related voluntary fire companies; also other administrative records, including records of expenditures and salaries, and records detailing individual fires; and record books, 1876-1899, of city poor relief (then administered by the Fire Department); also photograph.

Extent:

2.5 linear feet (in 3 boxes)
8 oversize volumes

Language:

English

Call Number:

861042 Cc 2;CC Out. Vol.

Authors:

Finding aid created by Daniel Cole, 1986

Background

Scope and Content:

The record group includes an early minute book of the fire department as well as minute books of various volunteer fire companies in the city. There are, in addition, scattered administrative records, including records of fires in the city, 1899-1962, and records of the poor relief administered by the department. These poor relief volumes include the name of the recipient, the amount, and the items purchased. Also included are the names of the individuals who funded the relief fund.

Biographical / Historical:

Prior to the establishment of a city fire department in 1854, volunteer fire companies did the work of putting out fires in Ann Arbor, Michigan. One of these, the Ann Arbor Fire Co. No. 2, was organized in 1837. This later became Eagle Fire Company No. 2. The names of other companies included the Defiance Hood and Ladder Company and the Mayflower Fire Engine Company. The companies continued to do their work up into the 1880s.

In the later part of the nineteenth century, the fire department also had responsibility for administering poor relief in the city.

Acquisition Information:

The bulk of these records came from the Ann Arbor Fire Department (donor no. 7302 ) in February 1986. Additional records were received from different donors (donor nos. 4338 and 593 ).

Accruals:

No further additions to the records are expected.

Rules or Conventions:

Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Subjects

Click on terms below to find any related finding aids on this site.

Subjects:

Fire departments -- Michigan -- Ann Arbor.
Public welfare -- Michigan -- Ann Arbor.
Fire fighters.

Formats:

Photographs.

Names:

Defiance Hook and Ladder Company, no. 1 (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
Eagle Fire Department (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
Ann Arbor (Mich.). Fire Dept.