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

James T. Gifford’s Log House

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 16, 2026

1. James T. Gifford’s Log House Marker

Inscription. One hundred feet from this spot stood James T. Gifford's log house, the first home in Elgin, built in the spring of 1835, where was organized the First Congregational Church, May 12, 1836, of the following members.

George McClure • Sarah McClure • Julia McClure • Phlio Hatch • Reuben Jenne • Ruth G. Dixon • Experience Gifford • James T. Gifford • Mary Ann Kimball • Relief Kimball • Laura Gifford

Placed May 12, 1886.

Erected 1886.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.

Location. 42° 2.063′ N, 88° 16.716′ W. Marker is in Elgin, Illinois, in Kane County. It is on Prairie Street near Villa Street. The marker is in Davidson Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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: Davidson Park (a few steps from this marker); Elgin Historic District (a few steps from this marker); W.W. I Memorial Davidson Park (a few steps from this marker); The Log Cabin Home of James T. Gifford (within shouting distance of this marker); Gifford-Davidson House

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Veteran Post 49 G.A.R. Memorial (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Elgin Historic District (about 600 feet away); Gifford Park (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elgin.

More about this marker. A different about Gifford's log cabin marker, likely erected a bit more recently than this one, is at the northwest corner of this triangular park (at the corner of Villa and Prairie) and claims to be 12 feet from the site of Gifford's log cabin. It is about 85 feet west of this memorial.

Regarding James T. Gifford’s Log House. Gifford built this log cabin when he settled here in 1836; he named the area Elgin after a Scottish hymn. His second home was at the present-day 277 Prairie Street (across the street from this park) and was later torn down. His third home, called the Gifford-Davidson House or the Stone Cottage, was completed in 1849 and still stands at 363-365 Prairie, about 275 feet west of this marker. Gifford died in 1850 and that house was inherited by his daughter Caroline Davidson.

The First Congregational Church of Elgin

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 16, 2026

2. James T. Gifford’s Log House Marker

Several other historical markers are visible in this photo. To the left is a two-sided sign about Davidson Park and the Elgin Historic District. In the central rear is Elgin's World War I memorial, and behind that at the street corner a stone with a different marker about James Gifford's log cabin.

is currently located about 4 blocks north of here.

Also see . . . History of First Congregational Church of Elgin. (Submitted on May 20, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 16, 2026

3. James T. Gifford’s Log House Marker

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 8 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on May 18, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 2, 3. submitted on May 20, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.