SMFD History

Former creamery building converted to the city offices and fire station

In 1917, the St. Michael Fire Department was established and purchased their first truck, a “combination fire engine.” Prior to 1917, and the organization of the fire department, the village of St. Michael had a “hose house,” which held the fire equipment and a wagon with an apparatus for pumping water. It was torn down around 1900 and the fire barn/village hall was built and used from about 1900 to 1971. At that time, the city purchased the large creamery from the St. Michael Cooperative Creamery due to shortage of space. Though the fire department no longer used the old fire barn, it stood in St. Michael until 2004.

Today, the St. Michael Fire Department still owns one of their earliest fire trucks—a 1929 Chevrolet named “Suzy.” The old Chevy is a combination ladder truck and side pumper, but didn’t have the ability to carry any water. Suzy continues on and can be seen every once in awhile at one of the parades around town.