Evanston Fire Department History – Part 17

Evanston Fire Department History – Part 17

**Another Chapter in the History of the Evanston Fire Department** *The Tale of the Villa Celeste* In 1892, the Village of Evanston absorbed the Village of South Evanston, forming what is now the larger City of Evanston. Those advocating for this merger argued that if the two communities didn't unite to create their own robust city, they'd likely be swallowed up individually by Chicago. Their concerns gained traction when Rogers Park, just to the south, was annexed by Chicago in 1893. Following Rogers Park's annexation, some South Evanston residents, led by fiery Third Ward Alderman Pat O’Neill, pushed for Evanston to voluntarily join Chicago. They believed a larger city like Chicago could provide superior public services, particularly fire and police protection. Wealthier South Evanston residents felt their higher tax contributions deserved better municipal services. Chicago indeed made an annexation proposal in 1894, but Evanston voters rejected it, seemingly putting the matter to rest. However, the annexation debate resurfaced fifteen years later. On Thursday, March 11, 1909, at noon, the Evanston Fire Department was called to an attic fire at the Villa Celeste, a grand residence owned by P. Leonard ("Guy") McKinnie at 721 Sheridan Road. Chief Fire Marshal Carl Harrison, adhering to standard procedure, initially ordered firefighters to tackle the blaze with soda-acid from one of the chemical engines. His goal was to limit water damage to the rest of the house. Unfortunately, the fire had spread deep into the walls and ceilings, making it nearly impossible to locate and extinguish the source. Despite deploying over 3,000 feet of hose—two 2-1/2" lines from Engine 1, one line directly from a nearby hydrant, and another from the chemical apparatus—the firefighters struggled to control the fire in the attic and third floor. The extensive use of water caused significant damage to the lower floors. Neighbors helped by enlisting children from nearby Lincoln School to assist the McKinnies in salvaging their priceless art collection and antique furniture. As the hours passed, it became painfully clear that the firefighters were making little progress. Frustrated, McKinnie implored Chief Harrison to summon the steam fire engine from Fire Station #2 on Chicago Avenue. He even offered to send his own livery team to fetch it. Harrison declined, stating that the lack of water wasn’t the issue. For six grueling hours, the men of the Evanston Fire Department fought the inferno. By nightfall, the Villa Celeste was gutted. Six firefighters were injured: Chief Carl Harrison suffered a severed finger from broken glass; Assistant Chief Jack Sweeting and Fireman John Wilbern suffered smoke inhalation; Fireman William Hofstetter had a hand laceration; Fireman Edward Johnson sustained a foot injury; and Fireman William Wilbern endured smoke inhalation and a bruise from falling debris. To make matters worse, the fire reignited around 11:30 PM, five hours after the firefighters had departed. They returned and spent another hour dousing the remnants. The final damage estimate reached $40,000, ranking it as the fourth costliest fire in Evanston's history up to that point. Only three prior fires had caused more damage: the tragic 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 wouldn’t have saved the house… the only way to extinguish the fire would have been to submerge the house into the lake.” (He probably would have done so if it were feasible!) The fire was finally extinguished, but the controversy raged on. Guy McKinnie and other affluent South Evanston residents renewed calls for Evanston to seek annexation by Chicago. However, Fire Marshal James Horan of the Chicago Fire Department dampened these ambitions. Horan bluntly explained that some outer areas of Chicago lacked fire protection, and if Evanston were annexed, it would likely be overlooked until more pressing needs were addressed. He pointed out that Chicago desperately needed upgrades to its fire protection infrastructure, particularly at the Stock Yards and in the downtown area. Ironically, Chief Horan’s assessment proved tragically accurate. On December 22, 1910, he and 20 other Chicago firefighters perished when a collapsing wall crushed them during a fire at the Stock Yards. This incident remains a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by early firefighters and the ongoing struggle for adequate resources in urban firefighting.

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