The first fire department began in 1860, when the Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 held an organizational meeting on April 6, 1860. This was also the first Fire Company in the county. The Fire Department was a social center of Mankato and some of its first activities were the Firemen's Ball, and a Fourth of July parade. The first fire engine was purchased in 1886, it was a hand operated pump on a hand drawn cart. The water for it was obtained from cisterns constructed at intervals throughout the town for this purpose. In 1867, a separate company formed, however, both companies kept their equipment in the same building on the 100 block of South Front Street. The two companies also had joint leadership, Edwin Bradley was the first chief engineer for the two companies.

In 1879, the city installed its first water works. The main purpose of this system was for the firemen to use when fighting fires. This made the hand engine and cisterns obsolete. They were last used at the State Hospital fire in St. Peter in 1880. Mankato Engine Company No. 1 was closed when they stopped using the hand powered engine, the members became a part of Excelsior Hose Company No. 1. Soon after, citizens formed a new company, the Superior Hose Company No. 2. These companies developed a rivalry and worked hard to beat each other to fires.

During the 1880's the firemen, along with their equipment, moved to the new city hall. The West Side Hook and Ladder Company No.2 was also formed. They received old equipment and the Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 received new equipment. In 1894, an electric alarm system was installed to alert the firemen of a fire faster. This system automatically rang the firebell in code to tell the firemen where the fire was. Later, a large steam whistle was used for this purpose, (it is now at the Blue Earth County Historical Society.) The Mankato Fire Department Relief Association was incorporated in 1895. This organization still exists today and is meant to protect the firefighters from injury or disability. All of the fire companies were involved in this association. The first paid firemen for Mankato were hired in 1896. They consisted of a driver for the hose truck and one for the ladder truck. In 1898, the Dukes Addition Hook and Ladder Companie No. 3 formed. They used old equipment from the other fire companies.

Central Fire Station was built in 1898. It was one of the best in the state and was located on South Second Street. The equipment from City Hall was moved there and more paid men were hired. This station was popular with the citizens who went there each evening to watch the firemen practice hooking up the horses.

In August of 1898 the fire companies sold out to the city. From this time to the present, the city has maintained a paid fire department.

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Sources:
The Heritage of Blue Earth County Minnesota. Curtis Media Corporation. Dallas Texas. 1990.
History of Blue Earth County. Thomas Hughes. Middle West publishing Company. Chicago. 1976