Fire Fighting in Sandy
Sandy had three major fires within a ten year period -– 1913,1918 and 1923. Although the destroyed buildings were replaced immediately, the combined effect of these fires destroyed the original hub of the city. As early as 1912 Sandy had organized fire fighters that pulled chemical fire fighting trucks. In the 1930s the city purchased a used Model T fire truck and the Sandy (Volunteer) Fire Department was formed. In these later days whoever happened to be around would take the motorized equipment and fight the fire. The truck was used until just after WWII. At that time the city bought a 1940 truck that was locally fitted to be a fire truck. This truck was used until 1973 and the department remained all volunteer until 1972.
Churches, Saloons and a Constable
Saloons outnumbered churches in Sandy’s early days. The area from Damascus to Mt. Hood was designated to be one district with one Justice of the Peace and one constable! The constable, Bert Jonsrud, lived miles outside of Sandy and he could only be in one place at a time. What a time Saturday nights must've been! By 1910 there was quite a bit going in Sandy. Much of the growth in Sandy may have been because of what was going on in the Bull Run area; building of a diversion dam, flumes, tunnels, an artificial lake (Roslyn Lake) and an electric generating plant. At one time there were between 200 and 300 men employed on these projects. The village of Sandy (population just under 200) supplied many of the needs for these workers, including a place to go on Saturday nights. A place with no local government and no rules or regulations. What a time Saturday nights must’ve been! With his calming effect on people Bert carried out this impossible job without much trouble.
Population and Incorporation
The little village of Sandy was trying to incorporate as a city for a number of years. The trouble was a requirement of a minimum population of 200. Sandy’s population hovered just below that for quite some time. It's been said that every time a baby was born some man would leave town! Finally the population requirement was met and on August 11, 1911 the village of Sandy incorporated as a city, and on November 14, 1913 the voters approved the city’s charter. The first act of the new city council was to hire L.A. Davis as town marshal! It remained a one man 24/7 job and a one man police department until the 1960s.
