The October 1871 fire that burned down a large portion of Chicago was called "the Great Chicago Fire" for a reason. It destroyed 18,000 buildings, killed some 300 people, and left in its wake 100,000 homeless and $200 million (169.4 million Eu) in damages. Reportedly started by the cow of local Irishwoman Mrs. O'Leary, the Great Chicago Fire began in a barn on DeKoven Street.

Chicago Fire Department’s Robert J. Quinn Fire Academy now sits on the spot where the 1871 fire began. Inside the academy, there's an emblem on the floor marking the location of the barn where O'Leary's cow ostensibly kicked over a lantern to start the fire.

The cow and Mrs. O’Leary were officially exonerated by the Chicago City Council; there are now several theories about how the fire started. A drunken neighbor, or men playing craps in the barn, may have started the fire. Or, (more commonly believed), a summerlong drought and a very hot October evening might have ignited several brush fires.

After the fire, the O’Learys moved to 51st and Halsted streets. The city of Chicago bought the site and initially planned to build a memorial. Instead, the Chicago Fire Academy building was built in 1961.

One reason the 1871 fire got out of control and burned so much of the city was that the fire department had insufficient manpower, and the men were worn out from fighting other fires, including one the day before.

Training firefighters in the area where the fire started seems an appropriate use of the site.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org