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Evanston Fire Department History – Part 17

Another installment about the History of Evanston Fire Department

The Villa Celeste
 
In 1892, the Village of Evanston annexed the neighboring Village of South Evanston, forming what would become the City of Evanston. Supporters of the merger argued that without uniting, both villages risked being absorbed by the growing City of Chicago. Their fears were soon validated when Rogers Park, just south of South Evanston, was annexed by Chicago in 1893. This set off a wave of anxiety among residents, especially those in South Evanston, who began to question whether they should remain independent or seek a larger city’s protection.

After the annexation of Rogers Park, some South Evanston residents, led by fiery 3rd Ward Alderman Pat O’Neill, pushed for Evanston to be annexed by Chicago. They believed that as a larger city, Chicago could offer better public services—especially fire and police protection. Wealthier residents, who paid higher property taxes, felt they deserved more reliable services. In 1894, Chicago made a formal attempt to annex Evanston, but the proposal was rejected by local voters. It seemed the issue was settled… until it resurfaced 15 years later.

On Thursday, March 11, 1909, at 12:30 PM, the Evanston Fire Department responded to an attic fire at the Villa Celeste, the grand home of P. Leonard (“Guy”) McKinnie on Sheridan Road. 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 spread deep into the walls and ceilings, making it nearly impossible to reach the source. Firefighters quickly deployed over 3,000 feet of hose, using multiple lines from Engine 1, a hydrant, and the chemical apparatus. Despite their efforts, the fire raged on.

Water damage became a major concern, forcing neighbors to call on children from Lincoln School to help move valuable items from the lower floors. As hours passed with no progress, McKinnie insisted that the steam fire engine, "City of Evanston No. 1," be brought from Fire Station #2. He even offered to send his own carriage to retrieve it. Harrison refused, stating that the problem wasn’t a lack of water, but the nature of the fire itself.

For six long hours, firefighters battled the flames. By nightfall, the Villa Celeste was a total loss. Six EFD members were injured: Chief Carl Harrison lost a finger, Assistant Chief Jack Sweeting suffered from smoke inhalation, and several others sustained cuts, bruises, and foot injuries. The fire rekindled five hours after the crew left, forcing them to return and douse the embers once more.

The damage totaled $40,000—then the fourth-highest fire loss in Evanston’s history. 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 exaggerated, his words highlighted the difficulty of the situation.

The fire sparked intense debate. McKinnie and other wealthy South Evanston residents again called for annexation by Chicago. But Fire Marshal James Horan of the Chicago FD shot down the idea, explaining that Chicago’s resources were stretched thin. He emphasized the need to prioritize areas like the Stock Yards and downtown districts. His warning proved tragically accurate when he and 20 firefighters died in a wall collapse at the Stock Yards in 1910.

Though the fire was extinguished, the controversy lingered. The event underscored the challenges of firefighting in an aging city and the ongoing tension between local autonomy and the promise of larger municipal support. The Villa Celeste may have burned, but its legacy lived on in the lessons learned by the Evanston Fire Department.

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