The village of South Elgin sits on the Fox River, between Elgin and St. Charles, in the heart of the Fox River Valley, about 40 miles northwest of Chicago.
History, recreation, industry and nature combine effortlessly to make up the growing village of 21,985 residents, whose rural farming roots and railroad history are quite evident when you visit.
My assignment was to spend one hour - no more, no less - roaming around the village of South Elgin photographing things that caught my eye. I was to photograph the obvious and the obscure, the big stuff and small, but all had to be identifiable to South Elgin.
I started along Route 31, near the Fox River, and was surprised when my hour was up.
I had come across so many interesting things to see, I barely ventured into the many diverse neighborhoods that make up the rest of the village. In getting to know South Elgin, I spent one hour; I could have spent the entire day.
The people who live in South Elgin can fish, boat, bike and walk along the Fox River, which runs right through the middle of the village.
They have a variety of housing options and live near farms, businesses, schools and Randall Road's plentiful shopping.
They don't have to venture far to get what they need or find something to see and do.
The village is home to the Fox River Trolley Museum, Anderson Animal Shelter, the Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve, more than 500 businesses, 380 acres of neighborhood parks, new residential developments and the South Elgin Cemetery, which dates all the way back to 1851.
In the near future, South Elgin will also be home to a branch of Elgin's Gail Borden Public Library.
South Elgin was named one of Money Magazine's Best Place to Live in the United States in 2007. In 2011, it was ranked in CNN/Money's Top 100 for its economic stability, job opportunities, good schools and safe streets.
Look for a new town gallery every Sunday at dailyherald.com/galleries and on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
On our social media sites, share your favorite South Elgin photos with us by using #shareyoursuburb.
And tell us what photos are your favorites. Which ones stir a memory for you? Where do you love to go in town?
So here's "An Hour in South Elgin."
The South Elgin Village Hall and Police Department, 10 N. Water St., is across the parking lot from Panton Mill Park. The village was incorporated on April 20, 1897.
Norrine Twohey/ntwohey@dailyherald.com.
A memorial to World War II veterans stands tall in Panton Mill Park on the banks of the Fox River.
Norrine Twohey/ntwohey@dailyherald.com.
A map of the village near the South Elgin Village Hall welcomes visitors.
Norrine Twohey/ntwohey@dailyherald.com.
South Elgin readies for its 19th RiverFest Express at Panton Mill Park, 10 N. Water St. The annual event draws huge crowds to the river front and features a car show, craft fair, small business expo, carnival rides, live entertainment, food and trolley rides.
Norrine Twohey/ntwohey@dailyherald.com
The State Street Bridge over the Fox River connects the east and west portions of the village. The walk over the bridge gives you a great view of Panton Mill Park and the expanse of the Fox River. On most days, you can see fly fisherman perfecting their craft.
Norrine Twohey/ntwohey@dailyherald.com
South Elgin Parks and Recreation rents Community Garden Plots. This plot, at 373 Spring St., across from Willard Elementary School, is named Spring Gardens. Plots are also available at Raymond gardens, 499 Raymond St., which have raised beds and are handicap accessible.
Norrine Twohey/ntwohey@dailyherald.com
The Community United Methodist Church sign greets visitors and sometimes gives motorists a chuckle. The church celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1942, then burned to the ground in 1949, rebuilding at 400 W. Spring St., its current location.
Norrine Twohey/ntwohey@dailyherald.com
The cornerstone for the first Community United Methodist Church building was laid Sept. 12, 1892, in the 200 block of Spring Street.
Norrine Twohey/ntwohey@dailyherald.com
Community Methodist Church, 400 Spring St., South Elgin.
Norrine Twohey/ntwohey@dailyherald.com
The South Elgin Post office on North La Fox Street provides village residents convenience, a full range of postal services and a super friendly and very speedy staff.
Norrine Twohey/ntwohey@dailyherald.com.
The family-owned Wee Dees on North La Fox Street, South Elgin, serves breakfast all day and is known for its gyros.
Norrine Twohey/ntwohey@dailyherald.com.
Anderson Animal Shelter, previously the Humane Society of North Central Illinois, was incorporated in 1966. In 1971, the shelter opened its current facility along Route 31.The Ruth and Ivar Anderson Animal Anticruelty Trust made a donation to the humane society in the 1980s, and the name was changed to Anderson Animal Shelter.
Norrine Twohey/ntwohey@dailyherald.com
Rich in history, the Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve is the burial site of the unknown soldiers of General Scott's Army. Off Route 31, on the Fox River, the preserve offers visitors a place to picnic, launch a boat, bike or walk and fish. The preserve also has a river crossing and scenic waterfall.
Norrine Twohey/ntwohey@dailyherald.com
Trail information is readily available to visitors of the Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve.
Norrine Twohey/ntwohey@dailyherald.com.
Shady trees line the bike/walking path along the Fox River in the Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve.
Norrine Twohey/ntwohey@dailyherald.com.
Blackhawk Station, in the Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve, is the stopping point on the Fox River Trolley Museum's four-mile trolley ride.
Norrine Twohey/ntwohey@dailyherald.com
The view from the Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve boat launch to the Fox River. The forest preserve is on Route 31, one mile north of McLean Blvd., South Elgin.
Norrine Twohey/ntwohey@dailyherald.com
Willard Elementary School, 370 W. Spring St., boasts a weather station built in honor of Marynel Lemke, a longtime teacher at Willard. The weather station reminds students of Lemke's passion for science and learning.
Norrine Twohey/ntwohey@dailyherald.com
Home of the Cougars, Clinton Elementary School is at 770 E. Mill St., South Elgin.
Norrine Twohey/ntwohey@dailyherald.com
A Holstein dairy cow watches the passing traffic on Main Street near South Elgin High School.
Norrine Twohey/ntwohey@dailyherald.com.
The Kenyon Brothers Dairy Farm on Main Street is neighbor to South Elgin High School.
Norrine Twohey/ntwohey@dailyherald.com.
The rock garden at South Elgin High School.
photos by Norrine Twohey/ntwohey@dailyherald.com.
On land formerly owned by Kenyon Brothers Dairy Farms, South Elgin High School, 760 E. Main St., opened Aug. 24, 2005. The modern building stands in great contrast to its dairy farming neighbors.
Norrine Twohey/ntwohey@dailyherald.com.
Vasa Park, 35W217 Route 31, sits along the Fox River. With towering oak trees and 25 acres of open space, the park is home to the annual Scandinavian Day Festival.
Norrine Twohey/ntwohey@dailyherald.com.
Jim Hansen Park, at Concord and Valley Forge avenues, was formerly known as Concord Park. The named changed when the park was dedicated to former South Elgin President Jim Hansen after his death in 2013. Features of the park include ball fields, a walking trail, basketball court, playground and picnic shelter.
Norrine Twohey/ntwohey@dailyherald.com.
The ball field at Jim Hansen Park in South Elgin sits quite after a long baseball season.
Norrine Twohey/ntwohey@dailyherald.com.
The Fox River Trolley Museum, just south of the State Street Bridge, is a great place to take the family. Inexpensive, educational and fun, the museum shares with visitors the history of the electric trolley and gives them a chance to ride back in time.
Norrine Twohey/ntwohey@dailyherald.com.
An old trolley car sits in the yard at the Fox River Trolley Museum. The museum operates a variety of trolley cars over tracks, dating back to 1896, that once connected Carpentersville, Elgin and Aurora and Yorkville.
Norrine Twohey/ntwohey@dailyherald.com.