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

Fire Barn No. 5

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 16, 2026

1. Fire Barn No. 5 Marker

Inscription. Commissioned on Jan. 1, 1904, Elgin's last fire barn was designed by Smith Hoag in the classical revival style. The first floor housed the horses and fire fighting equipment. The second floor was occupied by firefighters. Decommissioned, Dec. 13, 1991.

Designated a city landmark on August 14, 1991

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Government & Politics • Notable Buildings. A significant historical date for this entry is January 1, 1904.

Location. 42° 1.545′ N, 88° 16.171′ W. Marker is in Elgin, Illinois, in Kane County. It is at the intersection of St. Charles Street and Arlington Avenue, on the right when traveling north on St. Charles Street. The marker is affixed to the Elgin Fire Barn No. 5 Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 533 St Charles 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

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

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: Illinois Firefighters Memorial Plaza (a few steps from this marker); George Van De Voorde (within shouting distance of this marker); Peter VanNostrand (within shouting distance of this marker); Observatory/Planetarium (approx. 0.4 miles away); Elgin National Watch Co. Observatory (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Elgin National Watch Company (approx. half a mile away); The Watch Factory District (approx. half a mile away); Elgin Railroad Watches (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elgin.

Regarding Fire Barn No. 5. Smith Hoag was an Elgin builder and architect responsible for many structures in the city from the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Also see . . . Elgin Fire Barn No. 5 Museum official site. (Submitted on May 18, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Fire Barn No. 5 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 16, 2026

2. Fire Barn No. 5

The marker is on the left.

The east facade of Fire Barn No. 5 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 16, 2026

3. The east facade of Fire Barn No. 5

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 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 18, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.