Another installment about the History of Evanston Fire Department Following the annexation of Rogers Park, some residents of South Evanston, led by fiery 3rd Ward Alderman Pat O’Neill, began advocating for Evanston itself to be annexed by Chicago. Their argument was that a larger city like Chicago could offer better public services—especially police and fire protection. Wealthier residents in South Evanston felt they were overpaying in taxes but not getting the same level of service as other areas. In 1894, Chicago made a formal attempt to annex Evanston, but the proposal was rejected by voters. For a time, the issue seemed to die down. However, the debate resurfaced 15 years later, on March 11, 1909. That day, the Evanston Fire Department responded to a fire at the Villa Celeste, the luxurious home of P. Leonard ("Guy") McKinnie, located at 721 Sheridan Road. Chief Fire Marshal Carl Harrison arrived on scene and ordered firefighters to use 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 reach the source. Firefighters used over 3,000 feet of hose lines, including two from Engine 1, one directly from a hydrant, and another from the chemical apparatus, in a desperate effort to control the blaze. Despite their efforts, water damage to the lower floors became a growing concern. Local residents, unable to help directly, turned to children from Lincoln School to assist in salvaging the family’s valuable art collection and antique furniture. As the hours passed, it became clear that the fire was not being contained. Frustrated, McKinnie demanded that the steam fire engine (Evanston No. 1) be brought from Fire Station #2 on Chicago Avenue. He even offered to send his own carriage to fetch it. But Chief Harrison refused, insisting that water supply wasn’t the issue. The fire raged on for six long hours before the Villa Celeste was completely gutted. Six firefighters were injured during the operation: Chief Carl Harrison lost a finger when cut by glass, Assistant Chief Jack Sweeting suffered from smoke inhalation, and several others sustained injuries ranging from lacerations to foot wounds and debris-related trauma. Just hours after the fire was declared under control, it reignited at 11:30 PM, forcing firefighters to return and douse the ruins once more. The total damage was estimated at $40,000, making it the fourth-largest fire loss in Evanston's history up to that point. Only three 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 the lake.†Though the fire was extinguished, the incident sparked renewed debate about Evanston’s future. Guy McKinnie and other wealthy South Evanston residents argued that the city should consider annexation by Chicago again. However, Fire Marshal James Horan of the Chicago Fire Department dismissed the idea, stating that Chicago’s resources were stretched thin and that areas like the Stock Yards needed urgent attention first. His words proved tragically prophetic when he and 20 other firefighters were killed in 1910 while battling a fire at the Stock Yards. A conveyor machine, also known as a conveyor system, is a mechanical device used to transport materials or goods from one location to another. It is commonly used in various industries such as manufacturing, packaging, mining, and logistics. Conveyor System,Material Bulk Conveyor,Bulk Material Handling Equipment,Conveyors For Bulk Material Handling Shenyang North Heavy Metallurgical Engineering Technology Co., Ltd. , https://www.nhmetallurgy.com
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The Villa Celeste
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In 1892, the Village of Evanston annexed the Village of South Evanston, creating a larger and more unified City of Evanston. The move was driven by concerns that both villages would eventually be absorbed by Chicago if they didn’t unite. This fear was validated just a year later when Rogers Park, a neighboring area, was annexed by Chicago in 1893. The idea of forming a stronger city seemed to make sense at the time, but it wasn't without controversy.