On DuPage Street near Rugby Place, on the left when traveling west.
This 1/3-mile path is on the former Channing Street Cemetery or Old Cem, the city's first public cemetery from 1844-1906. The site contained as many as 3,500 graves. Following the opening of Bluff City Cemetery in 1888, many of the bodies were moved . . . — — Map (db m299981) HM
On Civic Center Plaza 0.2 miles north of Highland Avenue.
Artist Name: CJ Hungerman
Title: Communication Station
Medium: Acrylic
"The basic concept for my mural is sound and positive communication between people. The variety of vessel colored shapes abstractly represent the diversity of people . . . — — Map (db m299881) HM
On Villa Street at Prairie Street, on the right when traveling north on Villa Street.
James T. Gifford, Elgin's founder, erected his log cabin in 1835 just north of this park. Gifford's home served as the City's first school, first church and first post office. — — Map (db m300001) HM
On Dundee Avenue at Duncan Avenue, on the left when traveling north on Dundee Avenue.
Built for horse-drawn apparatus in 1896, in anticipation of city growth, Barn No. 3 was designed by Smith Hoag. It reflects the turn-of-the-century "Storefront Style" of fire barn architecture. Designated a local landmark in 1992. — — Map (db m55596) HM
On Park Street near College Street, on the right when traveling west.
Omnia Reliquit Servatum Rem Publicam.
Memorial tribute to Elgin Academy's patriotic sons who served in the Great Civil War
1861–1865
Haec Olim Meminisse Juvabit.
John O. Adams • Mark W. Adams • Samuel Anderson • Thomas G. Anderson • . . . — — Map (db m300033) HM
The Elgin Historic District is one of the city's oldest residential areas and includes the site of the founder's log cabin. Lots in the district were first platted in 1842. Here once lived leaders of the watch and dairy industries. Large homes with . . . — — Map (db m299998) HM
On Park Row at Fulton Street, on the right when traveling south on Park Row.
The Elgin Historic District is one of the city's oldest residential areas and includes the site of the founder's log cabin. Lots in the district were first platted in 1842. Here once lived leaders of the watch and dairy industries. Large homes with . . . — — Map (db m300042) HM
On North Grove Avenue at Symphony Way, on the left when traveling south on North Grove Avenue.
Gail Borden, pioneer in the food preservative industry, established a milk condensing plant on this site in 1865. His discovery incorporated a process by which water was evaporated from milk, and sugar added as a preservative. This process, patented . . . — — Map (db m63650) HM
On Watch Street east of Raymond Street, on the right when traveling west.
Built in 1910, the observatory's purpose was to record and transmit precise time from the stars to the Elgin National Watch factory. This structure was deeded to School District U-46 in 1960. Designated a local landmark in 1992. — — Map (db m299967) HM
From 1866 to 1966 this site was occupied by the Elgin National Watch Company. This was the first watch factory built west of the Alleghenies and grew to become the world's largest. During its lifetime over 60 million 'Elgin' watches were . . . — — Map (db m55455) HM
On Wellington Street at National Street, on the left when traveling north on Wellington Street.
In 1865, the Elgin National Watch Company began construction of a factory just west of here. The shopping center now stands on that site.
The success of the watch company lead to the factory being enlarged several times. By 1910 the building . . . — — Map (db m299892) HM
On Park Street at College Street, on the left when traveling east on Park Street.
The Factory - 1867
Pocket watch production began in 1867. The factory, located on National Street at the south end of Grove Avenue, grew in stages until by 1920 it was the largest watchmaking complex in the world, ultimately producing more . . . — — Map (db m63436) HM
On National Street at Wellington Street, on the right when traveling east on National Street.
Elgin Pocket Watches Protect Train Travel
A few seconds off could mean disaster, so conductors and engineers carried Elgin's "railroad grade" pocket watches. Built to strict standards, models like the B.W. Raymond were adjusted and . . . — — Map (db m299897) HM
On U.S. 20 at Nesler Road, on the right when traveling east on U.S. 20.
This marker is along the “south leg” of the Elgin road races. Beginning in 1910, many leading drivers and mechanics competed here in grueling tests of speed and endurance that contributed to the development of the modern automobile. . . . — — Map (db m55454) HM
On State Street (Illinois Route 31) north of Highland Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
Did you know that windmills were manufactured in Elgin for more than 60 years?
Elgin windmills were built on this site beginning in 1887. The company gained fame in 1906 as the first company to patent an automatic oiler, invented by Richard . . . — — Map (db m299819) HM
On State Street (Illinois Route 31) north of Highland Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
Where Was the Windmill Originally Located?
The 1921 "Giant Suburban" windmill pumped well water for a house on Elgin's west side, at the corner of Larkin and McLean. George Peck owned the windmill company and constructed the windmill for his . . . — — Map (db m299821) HM
On Center Street at Chicago Street, on the right when traveling north on Center Street.
The First Congregational Church of Elgin was organized May 12, 1836 in the log cabin home of James T. Gifford and his wife, Laura Raymond Gifford.
This was the first religious body organized for worship in the new community of Elgin. The . . . — — Map (db m299988) HM
On Park Street at College Street, on the left when traveling east on Park Street.
In 1926 a grand hall was erected as the new home for two local Masonic organizations -- the Elgin Lodge #117 and the Monitor Lodge #552. At the time, the new Masonic Temple was Elgin's largest indoor meeting space. In addition to lodge functions, it . . . — — Map (db m63331) HM
On St. Charles Street at Arlington Avenue, on the right when traveling north on St. Charles Street.
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, . . . — — Map (db m299979) HM
On Kimball Street at Dundee Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Kimball Street.
The Fremont Recreation Center and Second Baptist Church were the two social, educational, and spiritual hubs for Elgin's first African American community.
Fremont Center
An average of 50-60 youth of all races participated in . . . — — Map (db m299983) HM
Near Bluff City Boulevard 0.4 miles west of Gifford Road, on the left when traveling west.
General John S. Wilcox
Sec. 1B Lot 1 Space 12
1833-1926
&
General William Lynch
Sec. 11 Lot 133 Space 2
1839-1876
Bluff City Cemetery
Elgin, Illinois
This marker commemorates the lives and service of General's John Shuler . . . — — Map (db m299909) HM WM
On Wellington Street near National Street, on the right when traveling south.
Behind Every Elgin Watch Were Skilled Hands
Behind every Elgin watch was a skilled pair of hands. At its peak, the Elgin National Watch Company employed more than 4,000 men and women—machinists, engravers, jewelers, dial painters, . . . — — Map (db m299904) HM
On Park Row at Fulton Street, on the right when traveling south on Park Row.
Gifford Park is Elgin's first park. The park was laid out in 1844 by Elgin's founder, James T. Gifford. The park was the location for early political rallies and band concerts, and was enjoyed by generations of high school students and neighborhood . . . — — Map (db m300043) HM
On Dupage Street at Chapel Street, on the right on Dupage Street.
Elgin's first park—given to the settlement of Elgin, November 9th, A.D. 1844, by the honored pioneer citizens, James T. Gifford and his wife, Laura Raymond Gifford. Only one of their many gifts to Elgin — — Map (db m300041) HM
On St. Charles Street at Arlington Avenue on St. Charles Street.
The Firefighters Memorial Plaza stands as a monument to those firefighters who have given their lives protecting the residents of Illinois. We dedicate this plaza and bronze statue to those who have served their communities and to those who are . . . — — Map (db m299924) HM
On Dundee Avenue at Chester Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Dundee Avenue.
For more than 70 years this site was occupied by the Illinois Watch Case Company. The firm was a leader in the domestic watch industry and by the 1920s had produced more than 30 million watch cases.
A subsidiary produced jewelry goods, lockets, . . . — — Map (db m55458) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m299992) HM
On Kimball Street at Dundee Avenue on Kimball Street.
La Verne Newsome graduated from Elgin High School in 1925, where he became a track and field star and received the nickname "Eight Ball." He studied music at Northwestern University, earning bachelors and masters degrees.
Following graduation, . . . — — Map (db m299985) HM
On National Street at Wellington Avenue on National Street.
The Elgin factory offered its workers amenities few companies could match: its own fire department, a brass band, a baseball team, and even social clubs that brought families together. These programs built pride and loyalty, turning coworkers into . . . — — Map (db m299907) HM
On Grand Boulevard 0.2 miles east of Franklin Boulevard.
Designed by D.E. Postle in the neo-classic style, the museum was bulit in 1907. Its two additional wings have never been realized. The museum was the final gift of George P. and Mary E. Lord to the people of Elgin. Designated a local landmark in . . . — — Map (db m299944) HM
On Kimball Street at Dundee Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Kimball Street.
Mary Newsome Wheeler was only two years old when she and her mother, Minerva Newsome, boarded a boxcar in Mississippi and braved the nearly 600-mile train ride to Elgin as refugee slaves or "contraband."
She attended the old Brook Street school . . . — — Map (db m299986) HM
Dedicated in loving memory of Mawlana Nadeem Al-Wājidi (1954-2024), whose spiritual devotion and unwavering commitment to Burhan Academy transformed a vision into reality — — Map (db m300039) HM
On Park Street at College Street, on the left when traveling east on Park Street.
Among Elginites who served in the Civil War, there were 153 students, teachers, administrators and trustees from Elgin Academy.
•Academy student Leverett Kelley was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for heroic action in combat at Missionary . . . — — Map (db m63437) HM WM
On Fox River Trail 0.1 miles north of Highland Avenue when traveling north.
Mother Skye was inspired by the ancient Egyptian goddess of the sky stars, cosmos, and the universe, Nut (pronounced newt). She is seen here as a woman arching over the earth with her fingers and toes in the horizon. In ancient Egyptian mythology . . . — — Map (db m299883) HM
On Wellington Street at National Street, on the right when traveling south on Wellington Street.
The National House, or "Nash" as it was referred to, was constructed in 1866 to house watch factory employees. The building was enlarged in stages to eventually accomodate 300 boarders, a large dining room, tennis courts and recreational facilities. . . . — — Map (db m299906) HM
On Watch Street east of Raymond Street, on the right when traveling west.
The School District U-46 Planetarium, located at 312 Watch Street in Elgin, opened its doors in September 1963 for students to learn about astronomy under the dome. The planetarium is an addition on the back of the 1910 Elgin National Watch Company . . . — — Map (db m299945) HM
On Park Street at College Street, on the right when traveling west on Park Street.
"Old Main", completed in 1856, is the original Elgin Academy building. This Greek Revival structure was the first building in Elgin listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building exterior was restored in 1979-1980 as Elgin's . . . — — Map (db m300024) HM
On Kimball Street at Dundee Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Kimball Street.
“Miss Tilley" was born at 460 Hill Avenue and attended Sheridan Elementary School (Now O'Neal Elementary. After her father died, her mother remarried and moved the family to Springfield. She often visited her grandparents, Francis and Fanny Johnson . . . — — Map (db m299984) HM
Near Park Street near College Street, on the right.
This smaller-scale reproduction represents the type and style of the log cabin built by the first settlers of Elgin beginning in 1835. The cabin illustrates the sturdy construction of the day, including the half-dovetail notch joints at the corners . . . — — Map (db m300035) HM
On Spring Street near Grove Avenue, on the right when traveling south.
Who are the people looking at you?
The "Promise of Elgin" mural serves as a constant reflection of who we are and a reminder of where we hope to go. Do you see yourself reflected in the Elgin community?
The "Making Space" project was . . . — — Map (db m299885) HM
On Kimball Street at Dundee Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Kimball Street.
In 1937, at the age of 21, Sherman Hunter came to Elgin by boxcar from Mississippi, much like the original contrabands had done 75 years earlier. It was the Great Depression and he came north to find work.
Shortly after his arrival, Sherman . . . — — Map (db m299987) HM
"We abuse land because we see it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect."
- Aldo Leopold
Sigi Psimenos will be remembered as a talented, . . . — — Map (db m299933) HM
On Fox River Trail south of Kimball Street, on the right when traveling south.
Near this spot on June 2, 1974, Captain Stanley Balsis and Firefighter Michael Whalen launched a rescue craft to save a man trapped in the boiling backwash at the base of the Kimball Street Dam. The frightened man, who rode an inflatable raft over . . . — — Map (db m300020) HM
On Villa Street at Fulton Street, on the right when traveling north on Villa Street.
This memorial is erected in grateful remembrance of the patriotic heroism of the 443 members of Veteran Post 49, Dept. of Illinois, Grand Army of the Republic, who, at the call of their country, served in the four years War of the Rebellion . . . — — Map (db m299991) WM
Near Highland Avenue (County Highway 47) 0.4 miles east of McCornack Road.
This tablet is made to preserve the memory of pioneers, God fearing people from Scotland and Ireland who organized this church in 1841, as a place to meet together and worship
Andrew McCornack • Robert Shedden •
William Fraser •
George . . . — — Map (db m59171) HM
On National Street at Wellington Street, on the right when traveling east on National Street.
Constructed in 1883, this is the last remaining example of the small, wood framed chalet-style depots that were used along the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad lines. The depot was primarily for passengers, many of whom worked at the Elgin National . . . — — Map (db m299902) HM
On National Street at Wellington Avenue, on the right when traveling east on National Street.
This Elgin historic district was established in 1997 connecting the neighborhood with the history of the Elgin National Watch Company. Over 100 years, the plant made 50,000,000 watches! Many watch workers lived in buildings near the factory. For the . . . — — Map (db m299908) HM
On Kimball Street at Dundee Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Kimball Street.
These panels showcase African American leadership when the community lived in the "Settlement". This area consists of the neighborhood between Hickory, Dundee, Fremont and Hill, just a few blocks northeast of Newsome Park.
The park was . . . — — Map (db m299982) HM
On Wing Street near Wing Park Boulevard, on the right when traveling west.
Designed by Thomas Bendelow, the "Johnny Appleseed" of American golf course design, Wing Park Golf Course is the oldest, municipally owned, 9 hole golf course in Illinois.
The golf course was designated a local historic landmark in May, 2008 by . . . — — Map (db m299968) HM
On Kimball Street 0.1 miles east of State Street ( Route 31), on the right when traveling west.
In 1926, a young entrepreneur. W.R. "Bob" Meadows, followed his vision and launched a new concept and company on this Kimball Strest site. He knew that energy forces related to seasonal conditions caused concrete to expand and contract, resulting in . . . — — Map (db m300010) HM
