Evanston Fire Department History – Part 17

Another installment about the History of Evanston Fire Department

The idea of annexation didn’t die with the formation of the new city. In fact, after Chicago took over Rogers Park, some residents of South Evanston, led by fiery 3rd Ward Alderman Pat O’Neill, pushed for Evanston to also join Chicago. Their argument was simple: a bigger city could offer better services, especially fire and police protection. Wealthier residents, who paid more in taxes, felt they deserved better. In 1894, Chicago made an official attempt to annex Evanston, but voters rejected the proposal. It seemed the issue was finally settled… until 1909.

On March 11, 1909, at 12:30 PM, the Evanston Fire Department responded to a fire at the Villa Celeste, a grand home on Sheridan Road owned by P. Leonard “Guy” McKinnie. Chief Fire Marshal Carl Harrison arrived on scene and, as he often did, used soda-acid from a chemical engine to attack the fire in the attic. His goal was to limit water damage to the rest of the house. But the fire had already spread deep into the walls and ceilings, making it nearly impossible to reach the source.

Firefighters worked tirelessly, using over 3,000 feet of hose line — two lines from Engine 1, one from a hydrant, and one from the chemical apparatus — trying to bring the blaze under control. Despite their efforts, water damage to the lower floors became a serious issue. As the fire raged, neighbors stepped in, enlisting children from Lincoln School to help the McKinnies save their priceless art and antiques.

After hours of struggle, it became clear that the fire was beyond control. Frustrated, Guy McKinnie demanded that Chief Harrison send for the steam fire engine, "City of Evanston No. 1," which was stored at Fire Station #2. He even offered to pay for a livery team to bring it over. Harrison refused, insisting that the problem wasn’t lack of water, but the nature of the fire itself.

For six long hours, the EFD fought the fire. By nightfall, the Villa Celeste was completely gutted. Six firefighters were injured: Chief Carl Harrison lost a finger, Assistant Chief Jack Sweeting suffered from smoke inhalation, and several others sustained injuries ranging from cuts to bruises. Even after the fire department left, the flames reignited five hours later, forcing them to return and douse the ruins for another hour.

The damage totaled $40,000 — the fourth-highest fire loss in Evanston at the time. Only three fires had caused more destruction: the Mark Manufacturing Company fire in 1905, the Lincoln Avenue schoolhouse fire in 1894, and the Willard Block fire in 1872. Chief Harrison later admitted that no number of engines could have saved the house, saying, “The only way to put out the fire would have been to submerge the house in the lake.”

Though the fire was extinguished, the controversy continued. McKinnie and other wealthy South Evanston residents argued that Evanston should once again consider joining Chicago. However, Fire Marshal James Horan of the Chicago Fire Department dismissed the idea. He explained that annexation would mean being overlooked in favor of more critical areas like the Stock Yards. His warning proved tragically accurate when, on December 22, 1910, he and 20 other firefighters were killed during a collapse at the Stock Yards.

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