Constructing the bridge over the lagoon between Bde Maka Ska and Lake of the Isles in the spring of 1911 Minneapolis, Minnesota. Bde Maka Ska is Dakota for "White Earth Lake," and was previously known as "Lake Calhoun."
Color silent film that of the fire, and aftermath, at FISCO on South Broadway. The company housed the equipment for the Rochester Fire Department to use for fighting rural fires.
Grading improvements at Minnehaha Creek and 34th avenue with No. 15 Caterpillar Tractor with revolving fresnos on August 5, 1930 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Color silent film of a grass fire along Highway 63 ditches, just to the south of Rochester, and how firemen are attempting to put out the fire. The following events take place in the film: (00:41) A People's Electric Company truck and employee are watering down an electrical pole that was scorched. (00:52) Fireman John Loftus in one the right in the grey uniform. 1:28 Fireman Sizer is carrying a shovel across the burned area.
Black-and-white, mostly silent, film of firefighters battling the blaze at the 52 year-old Norton Hotel on February 6, 1967. The hotel was located on the edge of the Zumbro River, on Second Street Southeast. Several people were injured as they jumped to escape the flames and several people were found dead in their rooms the following day. The firefighters were hampered by the extreme cold weather, with a high temperature of 12 degrees below zero, and ice that formed over everything. The hotel had no sprinkler system and the fire provided impetus to install sprinklers in businesses. The following events take place in the film: (00:27) Fire Chief Ollie Mertz in the white coat. (01:42) When ladder truck #32 arrives, it was driver Bill Haas' first day on the job. (02:00) Fireman with his hat off is Bob Fanning. (03:37) Firemen Buske and Mertz drinking coffee. (03:43) Survivor Wayne describes how he got out of the hotel and there is sound for his interview. (05:04) February 7th, 1967 investigators are able to clear those who were killed from the building and start looking for causes of the blaze.
Color film with no sound. Tables are set up in a city garage for the potential candidates to take the written civil service test for part of the exam to be a Rochester firefighter. The physical portion of the test is done at Soldier's Field track and includes running, long jump, high jump, and pull ups.
Members of the Modern Woodsmen of Kanabec County from Grasston, Minnesota. Members include: Chief Nels Sjadin, C.T. Carlson, Peter Otterson, and other unidentified men. The bottom edge of the photograph is printed with the words: Tends Bryde, Fotograf, Eneret 1902, Youngstarvet Kristiania." Note: The Modern Woodmen of America is a fraternal benefit society founded in 1883.
Police use tear gas against massed pickets during the Newspaper Guild Strike. The gas is on First Street near Fifth Avenue West across from the Civic Center.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
Color silent film shows the Rochester Fire Department deploying trucks and a portable water tank to fight a blaze in a barn. The barn was donated by the Pennington's for this training exercise. The following events take place during the film. (02:21) Chief Ollie Mertz in the green shirt on the right. (06:57) Jerry Kokovich, safety inspector is in the blue suit coat. (07:10) Fireman Fanning sticks his head out of the burned roof of the barn. (07:58) Fireman Eischen is running away from the barn with his gear.
Black-and-white silent film demonstrating how a Maxim ladder fire truck was set up and evaluated. It was filmed at the Silver Lake fire station. There is a tower at that station that was built specifically for training about 1952. There are also some shots of the canoes and bridge across Seventh Street northeast. The following events take place during the film: (00:47) Elgin Norman finishes the final nozzle set up. (01:38) Mike Braun is at the foot of the ladder. (01:50) Jerry Jerbek is on the right rolling wire.