136 | Chapter Six - Houston Fire Memorial

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Chapter Six

1960-1969

Houston would get a new nickname in the 1960's. The development of NASA in our region would bring the world to our doorsteps and make the name "Space City" a familiar term. The nickname seemed appropriate since one of the first major fires of the decade was at a "Globe" retail store. Rockets in space were allowed but the city banned fireworks in town.

Houston's southward expansion would include the Medical Center fueling a growing demand for emergency services. A new landmark would grace the plains in the form of a domed stadium. The Astrodome was billed as "The Eighth Wonder of the World" and brought big league dreams to town.

Houston's population would exceed a million people within a 466 square mile radius keeping

its growth on the fast track. In 1965 the Fire Department had 54 Fire Houses and 1341 Fire Fighters to protect the citizens of Houston.

The battle veteran "Water Tower" would see its end of service being replaced by not just one, but two Pitman Snorkel trucks. Prosperity would shine on The Fire Department and Fire Fighters would see a couple pay increases during this decade.

In 1968 a new Central Station was opened. A new central motor repair shop also opened that year at a cost of $600,000. The 1960's would end with the opening of a new department training academy, a new airport (Houston Intercontinental) to service.

In 1969 the world listened as the first word spoken from the moon was, "Houston".

Fire Chiefs: Joe Lobue W.O. Hunter C.R. "Jake" Cook

Line of Duty Deaths: Don Contorno Claude Jackson Hopkins Steve Charlie Baranowski James Louis Walls Truxton Joseph Hathaway Jr.

Left: The Globe Discount Store was established in the late 1950's by a family named Danburg. The store was located at 3030 Woodridge. The store was near the new Gulfgate Mall that was thriving at the time. Business was good for Globe as well. On the morning of October 17, 1961 a large fire broke out with over 200 customers in the store. The fire went to five alarms and was very difficult for Fire Fighters to extinguish. The store was very well built, one of the newspapers referred to it as a "Fortress". The building was steel and concrete, the store had a large supply of ammunition that exploded. It took the Fire Fighters several hours to control the blaze and the damage exceeded five million dollars. Thirty Fire Fighters were treated on the scene for smoke inhilation. (Houston Fire Museum)

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Left: Artist's rendition of the soon to be new Fire House No. 1. (Houston Fire Department) Below Left: Fire House No. 1 was located at 410 Bagby at Preston, just a short distance from the old Central Station, which closed down after serving the City for 44 years. (Houston Fire Department) Below: Grand opening of Fire House No. 1. Ceremonial ribbon cutting done by Mayor Louie Welch. (Houston Fire Department) Oppositse Page: The Globe Department Store fire, October 17, 1961. (Houston Fire Museum)

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Above: In the early 1960's the Houston Fire Department started a Home Inspection Program. Each Fire House in

the City would inspect the homes in the neighborhood upon request by the resident. The HFD wood shop

was assigned to construct signs for all fire equipment. (Houston Fire Department)

Above Right: The crew of Fire House No. 42 inspecting a home in their territory. From left to right, Garrett Young, "D" Cunningham, Wayman Cravin, Samuel Kempt, Milton Alford and Captain Doyle Ebel. (Doyle Ebel)

Right: This photo was a publicity photo to advertise the Home Inspection Program. This photo was taken at Fire House No. 33 in 1963. From left to right, Captain George Lowdermilk, Captain John Gunthrie and Harold

Hendricks. (Houston Fire Department)

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Left: Building fire in the late 1960's. (Houston Fire Department) Above: Crew of Engine 18 in 1962. From left to right, Chauffeur Joe Pollett, Robert "Bobby" Swisher, Captain A. C. "Buster" Green and Dave Ward. (Family of "Buster" Green)

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Above: Fire Chief "Jake" Cook inspecting Ladder 21, a brand new 1966 American LaFrance, 100 ft. Aerial. ("Jake" Cook)

Above Right: Crew of Fire House No. 14, 1960. From left to right, back row, Leo Barr and Benard Thompson. Front row, Edmond "Red" McKee, Bill Simmons, W. D. "Birdie" Thompson, Eugene "Duke" Jahnke, Otto Muller

and Andy Saraco. (Leo Barr) Right: Leo Barr, Chauffeur, Ladder 14. (Leo Barr)

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Left: Crews training on a new 1966 American LaFrance. (Houston Fire Department) Above: Cadet Class President, giving his speech. (Houston Fire Department)

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