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Chicago FD Turret Wagon history (pt2)
These images here are all taken by Chief Gordon J. Nord, Jr., and they capture some really interesting moments from the history of Chicago’s firefighting operations.
The first set of pictures features Turret Wagon 6-7-1. It looks like this vehicle has been involved in quite a few different scenarios, given the number of photos available. The turret wagon appears to have been painted black due to smoke exposure in one particular image, which was taken at 1441 South Wabash. That's something you don't see every day—most firefighting vehicles are bright red, so this gives the wagon a rather unique look. These photos were taken by Gordon J. Nord, Jr., who seems to have had a knack for capturing these historical moments.
Next up is Turret Wagon 6-7-3. There are several images showcasing this vehicle, including one where it’s parked in a scene that looks like it could be straight out of an old movie about firefighters. It's hard not to feel a sense of nostalgia looking at these pictures—they really bring the past to life. Again, all of these photos are credited to Gordon J. Nord, Jr., which adds authenticity to the collection.
Then there's Turret Wagon 6-7-4. This particular wagon met its end in a dramatic way—it was destroyed during a fire incident at 37th and Iron Street after a wall collapsed onto it. What strikes me is how dangerous these jobs must have been back then, with firefighters constantly facing such risks. The last known image of this vehicle before its demise was taken during a call on Grand and Austin. It’s sad to think about but also fascinating to see the legacy left behind through photographs.
Turret Wagon 6-7-5 also makes an appearance here. One striking photograph shows this wagon amidst what looks like heavy smoke or fire damage. Despite the challenging conditions, the firefighters kept pushing forward, doing their best to protect people and property. This wagon clearly played an important role in those efforts.
Finally, we have Turret Wagon 6-7-6. Multiple shots highlight this piece of equipment, showing it in various states and locations. Some of these images even depict multiple units together, suggesting coordinated efforts between different teams. It’s incredible to think about how much teamwork went into each operation.
Now, the question remains—can anyone out there help identify the exact fires depicted in these photos? Identifying them would add another layer of depth to our understanding of Chicago’s firefighting history. If anyone recognizes any of these scenes or knows more details about the incidents captured here, I’d love to hear from you. These kinds of stories remind us just how vital firefighting has always been in keeping communities safe.