Another Chapter in the History of the Evanston Fire Department
Following the annexation of Rogers Park, some residents of South Evanston, led by fiery 3rd Ward Alderman Pat O’Neill, began pushing for Evanston to voluntarily join Chicago. They believed that the superior resources of a larger city, particularly in terms of public safety, would greatly benefit Evanston’s affluent residents. In 1894, Chicago actually proposed annexation, but Evanston voters rejected the offer. For a while, it seemed the debate was over. Yet, the issue resurfaced unexpectedly fifteen years later.
On March 11, 1909, at noon, the Evanston Fire Department received an urgent call about a fire at the Villa Celeste, a grand estate owned by P. Leonard ("Guy") McKinnie at 721 Sheridan Road in South Evanston. Chief Fire Marshal Carl Harrison, following standard procedure, initially directed his team to use soda-acid chemicals to tackle the blaze in the attic. His aim was to minimize water damage to the rest of the mansion. However, the fire had spread deep into the walls and ceilings, making it nearly impossible to locate and extinguish the source.
As the situation worsened, firefighters deployed over 3,000 feet of hose, including multiple lines from Engine 1 and hydrants, but their efforts proved futile. Water began seeping into the lower floors, causing significant damage. Neighbors joined in, helping the McKinnie family evacuate their treasured art pieces and antiques from the lower levels. Despite these heroic efforts, the fire raged on for hours, with no sign of abating.
Frustrated and exhausted, McKinnie pleaded with Chief Harrison to summon the old steam fire engine from Fire Station #2 on Chicago Avenue. He even offered to send his own carriage team to retrieve it. Harrison declined, explaining that water supply wasn't the issue. After six grueling hours, the Villa Celeste was reduced to a shell. Six firefighters sustained injuries during the battle, ranging from smoke inhalation to cuts and bruises from falling debris. To make matters worse, the fire reignited late that evening, forcing firefighters to return and continue dousing the ruins well past midnight.
The final damage tally reached $40,000, marking it as the fourth most costly fire in Evanston's history up to that point. Only three earlier fires—Mark Manufacturing Company (1905), Lincoln Avenue Schoolhouse (1894), and Willard Block (1872)—had caused more damage. Reflecting on the incident, Chief Harrison remarked, “Dozens of engines wouldn’t have made a difference; the only solution would have been to submerge the house in the lake!â€
In the aftermath, McKinnie and other wealthy South Evanston residents renewed calls for Evanston to seek annexation by Chicago. However, Chicago Fire Chief James Horan dismissed the idea, pointing out that Chicago’s outer areas lacked proper fire protection. He noted that even if Evanston were annexed, it would likely take years before significant improvements could be implemented. Tragically, Chief Horan’s concerns were realized less than two years later when he and 20 others died fighting a fire at the Stock Yards on December 22, 1910.
While the fire was eventually extinguished, the incident sparked heated discussions about Evanston’s future. Some argued for stronger ties with Chicago, while others insisted on maintaining independence. Either way, the tragedy at Villa Celeste left an indelible mark on the city's history and highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by smaller municipalities seeking adequate fire protection.
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