-->From the 1890’s to about 1920, fires in Richmond were fought with the use of bucket brigades. To protect the stores downtown, this method was made more effective through the use of four wells, one at each corner of the square.

The firefighting procedure was improved later with the use of a two-wheeled cart upon which fire hose was rolled, and pumps were added to the wells. The cart was pulled to the scene by volunteers. After 1920, a Model T Ford truck was used as a fire truck, and in 1925 a Dodge truck was equipped with firefighting apparatus.

The first year of an organized fire department was 1927. Joseph Pointer, who was sent to school in St. Joseph to learn the ways of firefighting, was the first Chief, and volunteer firemen comprised the entire department. Two regular firemen, Melvin ‘Brick’ Hicks (pictured below) and Pete VanMeter, were employed full-time in 1929.

The first firetruck purchased by the department in 1936 was bought from Wollard Motor Company, and it saw many years of service. This truck, a Reo, was later on display in Roberts Park. Others who have held the position of Fire Chief were L.D. Martin, John Thacker, Bill Williams, Pete VanMeter, and Dave Gibson. Brick Hicks (pictured below) was made Fire Chief in 1945.

Through the years there have been many destructive fires in Richmond. One of the worst was an arson fire in the J. S. Hughes Bank. Nearly two blocks were decimated in the 1920’s. The heat was so intense that silver money melted in the vaults. The arsonist was caught and convicted, but a motive was never established.

Fire Chief Brick Hicks lived above City Hall and the Fire Station pictured in this photo. The windows on the upper floor at the right end of the building were his family's living room. The bay doors can be seen to be open on the apparatus bays at the left end of the building.

The 1936 REO Firetruck that eventually entertained Richmond children at Roberts Park can be seen here fighting the Hamacher Mill fire in the late 1930's. This was a particularly large and intense fire.

A four story hotel with a restaurant and several shops was located on the southeast corner of Main St. and Thornton St.

The entire 2-block square building burned about 1963. There were two fatalities, and flames were said to have been seen from Excelsior Springs.

The Hotel Richmond can be seen at the far end of Main Street in this early 1950's photo. Also shown are Alder Hatchery, Duval Clothing Store, Waller Café and Jackson’s hardware, among other square businesses of the time.

Below is a photo showing the advanced level of destruction to the hotel following the fire.

Above and below are the 1971 flammable liquid fire at CO-OP. The oil storage tanks pictured were completely destroyed.

In 1971, the Richmond Spartans won the state high school football championship. Click the picture below for the championship season in print and pictures.