Clear Lake Fire Museum

The Clear Lake Fire Department was organized in 1871. The Department’s organization was a result of a serious fire on January 4, 1871, when Coates Brothers Furniture Store and building near it belonging to McGrows were damaged. This caused immediate clamor for a Fire Department, and immediately upon the town becoming incorporated, one of the first tasks was the establishment of the Fire Department. The Department was known as Clear Lake Fire Company No. 1. The Department consisted of not more than 30 men. Originally a bucket brigade and long poles to push walls in were the fire equipment of choice. In 1883 Clear Lake purchased one Bulton Hand Water Engine, one chain gear hose cart, now on exhibit in the Clear Lake Fire Museum, and 300 feet of hose. The department also had six Babcock Extinguishers. In 1925 the Ahrens-Fox pumper, also on exhibit in the museum, was placed into service. It served until the Junior High School Fire in 1975.