Elgin in Kane County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Old Cemetery 1845-1945

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 16, 2026

1. The Old cemetery 1845-1945 Marker

Inscription. Their worldly tasks completed Elgin's pioneers were laid to rest in this hallowed ground

Erected 1968 by Elgin Area Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1845.

Location. 42° 2.09′ N, 88° 16.408′ W. Marker is in Elgin, Illinois, in Kane County. It is on Channing Street north of Prairie Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is in a grassy area just south of Channing Elementary School. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 63 South Prairie Street, Elgin IL 60120, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Channing Memorial Park

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(about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Elgin Historic District (approx. 0.2 miles away); Gifford Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Gifford-Davidson House (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Gifford Park (approx. ¼ mile away); James T. Gifford’s Log House (approx. ¼ mile away); Davidson Park (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Elgin Historic District (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elgin.

More about this marker. The marker was erected by the Elgin Area Historical Society in 1968, the same year that Channing School opened on this site.

Also see . . . Channing Street Cemetery, "Old Cem". From the Elgin Genealogical Society website

Excerpt: "In 1968 Channing Memorial Elementary School was built at the northwest corner of the former cemetery on the corner of Channing and Fulton Streets. The same year, the Elgin Area Historical Society (EAHS) dedicated a bronze and granite memorial marking the cemetery site. One marked grave remains in Channing today. Located in the far southeast corner, it is the grave of William Hackman, an Elgin National Watch
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 16, 2026

2. The Old Cemetery 1845-1945 Marker, near Channing School
Company employee, who died 28 February 1885. The EAHS held a re-dedication ceremony at the grave site in September 1971. Construction of a new addition to the Channing Memorial Elementary School was to have begun during late 1998. But, anticipating that some graves may be found, a team of archaeologists was brought in to dig in the area slated for construction. A preliminary dig confirmed the presence of at least eight grave sites. Due to the winter weather the dig could not begin until late March. The team eventually discovered two full skeletons and 13 graves by the time their dig concluded in mid-April. The remains will be studied by an anthropologist and eventually be sent to the Illinois Historical Preservation Agency in Springfield. It is unlikely that any of the remains will be identified, as the Channing Street Cemetery sexton's records have been lost."

(Submitted on May 18, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 16, 2026

3. Old Cem

A different historical marker east of the school in neighboring Channing Memorial Park includes this historical photo of Old Cem.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 18, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 18, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.