Another installment on the History of the Evanston Fire Department Following Chicago’s annexation of Rogers Park, some residents of South Evanston—led by fiery 3rd Ward Alderman Pat O’Neill—pushed for Evanston to be annexed by Chicago as well. Their argument was simple: a larger city like Chicago could offer better public services, especially police and fire protection. Wealthier residents in South Evanston felt they deserved these services given their higher property tax contributions. In 1894, Chicago made a formal attempt to annex Evanston, but voters rejected the proposal, and it seemed the issue had been settled. However, the debate would resurface unexpectedly years later. On Thursday, March 11, 1909, at 12:30 PM, the Evanston Fire Department responded to an attic fire at the Villa Celeste, a grand home owned by P. Leonard (“Guyâ€) McKinnie, located at 721 Sheridan Road. Chief Fire Marshal Carl Harrison, who often preferred using soda-acid from chemical engines to minimize water damage, initially directed firefighters to attack the fire with chemicals. However, the blaze was deeply embedded within the walls and ceilings, making it impossible to locate and extinguish the source. Firefighters deployed nearly 3,000 feet of hose, including two 2-1/2-inch lines from Engine 1, one directly from a nearby hydrant, and another from the chemical apparatus. Despite their efforts, the fire spread rapidly, causing significant water damage to the lower floors. As the situation worsened, neighbors called on children from Lincoln School to help the McKinnies move their priceless art collection and antique furniture to safety. After hours of struggling, 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 kept at Fire Station #2 on Chicago Avenue. He even offered to hire a livery team to bring it to the scene. Harrison refused, stating that water supply was not the issue. For six hours, the EFD fought the fire with all their might, but the flames continued to spread. By nightfall, the Villa Celeste was completely gutted. Six firefighters were injured during the operation: As if the fire wasn’t enough, it reignited at around 11:30 PM, five hours after the EFD had left the scene. Firefighters returned and spent another hour dousing the ruins. The total damage was estimated at $40,000—the fourth-highest fire loss in Evanston history up to that point. Only three previous 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.†While he likely didn’t mean it literally, his words highlighted the severity of the fire and the limitations of the department’s equipment at the time. The fire may have been extinguished, but the controversy it sparked lingered. Guy McKinnie and other wealthy South Evanston residents renewed calls for Evanston to seek annexation by Chicago. However, Fire Marshal James Horan of the Chicago Fire Department dismissed the idea. He explained that Chicago had limited resources and would prioritize areas like the Stock Yards and downtown districts. His warnings would soon prove tragically accurate. In December 1910, Horan and 20 other Chicago firefighters were killed when a wall collapsed on them during a fire at the Stock Yards. It was a grim reminder of the dangers faced by those who served on the front lines—and the challenges of urban firefighting in the early 20th century. Crushing equipment refers to machinery used to reduce large rocks into smaller rocks, gravel, or rock dust. It is commonly used in the mining, construction, and recycling industries to break down materials for further processing. Some common types of crushing equipment include jaw crushers, cone crushers, impact crushers, and hammer mills. These machines are designed to handle different types of materials and can be used for primary, secondary, or tertiary crushing. Crushing equipment is essential in the production of aggregates for construction purposes and in the mining industry for the extraction of valuable minerals. Crushing Equipment,High Efficiency Crusher,Hydraulic Cone Crusher,Cone Crusher Equipment Shenyang North Heavy Metallurgical Engineering Technology Co., Ltd. , https://www.nhmetallurgy.com
The Villa Celeste
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In 1892, the Village of Evanston annexed the neighboring Village of South Evanston, creating the larger City of Evanston. Proponents of the merger argued that without unification, both villages risked being absorbed by the growing City of Chicago. This concern was soon validated when Rogers Park, just south of South Evanston, was annexed by Chicago in 1893. The idea of a “domino effect†began to take shape, and tensions over municipal control and services grew.