Another installment about the History of Evanston Fire Department Some South Evanston residents, led by fiery 3rd Ward Alderman Pat O’Neill, argued that joining Chicago would bring better public services, especially in terms of police and fire protection. Wealthier residents, who paid higher property taxes, felt they deserved better municipal support. In 1894, Chicago even attempted to annex Evanston, but the city’s voters rejected the offer. It seemed like the issue was settled—until it resurfaced unexpectedly 15 years later. On Thursday, March 11, 1909, at 12:30 PM, the Evanston Fire Department received a call about an attic fire at the Villa Celeste, a grand home on Sheridan Road owned by P. Leonard “Guy†McKinnie. Chief Fire Marshal Carl Harrison, known for his cautious approach, initially used soda-acid from a chemical engine to minimize water damage. But the fire had already spread deep into the walls and ceilings, making it nearly impossible to locate the source. Firefighters deployed over 3,000 feet of hose, including lines from Engine 1, a hydrant, and the chemical apparatus, in a desperate attempt to control the blaze. However, water damage to the lower floors became a growing concern. As the fire raged on, neighbors stepped in, enlisting children from Lincoln School to help the McKinnies move their priceless art and antiques to safety. After hours of struggle, it became clear that the fire was not under control. Frustrated, McKinnie insisted that the steam fire engine, “City of Evanston No. 1,†be brought from Station #2. He even offered to send a livery team to fetch it. But Chief Harrison refused, stating that the problem wasn’t a lack of water, but rather the intensity of the fire itself. For six long hours, the EFD fought valiantly, but the flames continued to spread. By nightfall, the Villa Celeste was completely gutted. Six firefighters were injured during the operation, including Chief Harrison, who lost a finger when cut by glass, and several others suffering from smoke inhalation and minor injuries. As if the fire wasn’t enough, it reignited at 11:30 PM, forcing firefighters to return and douse the ruins. The damage estimate came out to $40,000—making it the fourth-largest fire loss in Evanston’s history up to that point. Only three previous fires had caused more damage: the Mark Manufacturing Company fire in 1905, the Lincoln Avenue schoolhouse fire in 1894, and the Willard Block fire in 1872. Chief Harrison later remarked, “Dozens of engines couldn’t have saved the house. The only way to put it out would have been to submerge it in Lake Michigan.†Though he probably wouldn’t have done that, his words highlighted just how fierce the fire had been. The fire was finally extinguished, but the controversy it sparked lingered. Guy McKinnie and other wealthy South Evanston residents once again called for Evanston to consider annexation by Chicago. However, Fire Marshal James Horan of the Chicago Fire Department dismissed the idea, explaining that Chicago’s resources were stretched thin. He pointed out that areas like the Stock Yards needed urgent fire protection improvements before any new cities could be added to the system. Horan’s warning proved tragically accurate. On December 22, 1910, he and 20 other Chicago firefighters were killed when a wall collapsed during a fire at the Stock Yards. The incident underscored the real challenges facing urban fire departments and the importance of prioritizing resources wisely. Low Iron Sodium Sulfide,Industrial Grade Na2S Sodium Sulphide,Sodium Sulphide Flakes,Sodium Sulphide Flakes Low Iron Shenzhou Jiaxin Chemical Co.,Ltd , https://www.jiaxinbaso4.com
The Villa Celeste
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By 1892, the Village of Evanston had grown so much that it decided to annex its neighboring village, South Evanston, creating a larger and more unified City of Evanston. The idea was to prevent both villages from being absorbed by the rapidly expanding City of Chicago. This fear wasn't unfounded—just a year later, in 1893, South Evanston's neighbor to the south, Rogers Park, was indeed annexed by Chicago. This event sparked intense debate among residents of South Evanston, who began to question whether they should remain independent or seek a union with their bigger, more powerful neighbor.