Elgin Cemetery Walk is Sunday

Submitted by Elgin Area Historical Society

The Elgin Area Historical Society's 24th annual Cemetery Walk will be from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25 at Bluff City Cemetery, 945 Bluff City Blvd., Elgin. Advance tickets are $7 or $5 for seniors, age 65 and older, and children, age 13 to 18. Children, age 12 and younger, are admitted free. Tickets at the gate are $8. For historical society members, cost is $7.

It will start an hour earlier than in past years, to accommodate more visitors.

Costumed guides escort visitors on an hour walking tour that stops to meet six former Elgin residents. The individuals portrayed this year include: a husband and wife killed in the disastrous fire at the Iroquois Theater in Chicago; a famous local photographer; a lady from Scotland whose husband was lost at sea; the mother of two little girls who died of scarlet fever and whose husband later died “under suspicious circumstances”; and a Civil War nurse.

In addition to the standard program, several short presentations have been included in the tour, with information about the cemetery and monuments.

The walk provides an hour of family fun, entertainment and history, without being spooky. It also gives everyone a chance to view Bluff City Cemetery, a beautiful cemetery laid out in a parklike setting. Put on your walking shoes and join us for an afternoon of history coming to life in Elgin. (Golf carts will be available to provide assistance in getting up the hills.)

Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Old Main Museum, 360 Park St. in Elgin, or Ziegler's Ace Hardware store on Spring Street. They may also be purchased online at www.elginhistory.org.

For information call the Old Main Museum at (847) 742-4248 or visit www.elginhistory.org.