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Origins of the Orillia Fire Department
In 1875, the population of the Village of Orillia reached 2,000. That allowed Orillia to become a town, which soon elected a mayor, reeve, deputy reeve, and nine councillors to office.
One of their first projects was to purchase a lot at 27 Peter Street North and build a fire hall about 40 feet by 60 feet with a 55-foot tower. Twenty years later, in 1896, council contracted local builder J.R. Eaton to tear down the first building and construct a new two-storey solid brick hall with a full basement and heated tower for drying the hoses. That building is still standing today.
The first chief was Robert Mainer, who held the post from 1875 to 1896. He was followed by Joseph Blacker (1896-1940), Lee Edwards (1940-1959) and Dan MacLeish.
