Elgin Area Chamber: Elgin, Illinois Chamber of Commerce

Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce - Elgin, Illinois - community photos

History of Elgin

"In 1835, James T. and Hezekiah Gifford, along with Samuel Jewett Kimball, settled a city that they would name "Elgin" in the state of Illinois, 38 miles west of Chicago. Situated on the Fox River, Elgin is directly between the lead mines of Galena and Chicago. Gifford, being a devoutly religious man, named his new city after a Scottish psalm. "I had been a great admirer of that tune from boyhood", he once stated, "and the name Elgin had ever fallen upon my ear with musical effects". Over the next 165 years, Elgin would be music to the ears of a great many people and industries, including one of the largest watch making factories in the world, the largest producers of dairy products in the Midwest, including the home of The Borden Milk Company, as well as the manufacturing of cars, shoes, bicycles and religious printed material. Elgin would be the home for many colleges, including Judson College, Elgin Community College and The Elgin Academy, which at one time was affiliated with Northwestern University."

– Author James McDunn

Elgin's glorious and colorful past lives on in the City's three Historic Districts: the Elgin Historic District, the Spring-Douglas Historic District, and the Elgin National Watch Historic District. The Elgin Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and displays some of the finest structures in the state. Here, gorgeous 19th century homes exhibit the same charm and grace as when they were originally built, thanks to thoughtful and proud owners.

Elgin citizens eagerly preserve the city's older neighborhoods and are supported by city government. The Planning Department offers assistance through rehabilitation and grant programs in addition to the services of a full-time historic preservationist. As a result, the community's rich heritage is exhibited in its neighborhood architecture.

Gifford Park Association offers programs and classes on how to restore home and on how to salvage a building's historic elements. This organization also conducts the Elgin Historic House Walk annually. These inspirational tours demonstrate what can be done with homes in Elgin's older neighborhoods. ABODE (Admirers of Beautiful Old Dwellings in Elgin) also sponsors a yearly Spring house Tour in conjunction with various neighborhood groups.

Visit our Community Links page and learn more about the history of the City of Elgin. Click here to view historical pictures.

Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce
32 South Grove Avenue • P.O. Box 648 • Elgin, Illinois 60120
Tel: (847) 741-5660 • Fax: (847) 741-5677