Images: #TBT Gallery revisits Elgin
Elgin was founded in 1835 by the Gifford brothers, James and Hezekiah, and Samuel Kimball. They named the city after a Scottish hymn called “The Song of Elgin.” The city had more than 108,000 residents counted in the 2010 census, making it the eighth largest city in Illinois and the 241st largest city in the United States.
All of the photographs in this #TBT Gallery can be purchased at the Elgin History Museum and on elginhistory.org. Funds from sales are used to maintain the collection. Got an idea for a suburban #TBT Gallery? Share your ideas and photos with us at tbt@dailyherald.com. Share your favorite and memorable #TBT photos with us on Instagram using #tbtsuburbs.
The Channing Cemetery held some of the original settlers of Elgin. It reached capacity in 1889 and the City of Elgin bought property from the Gifford family to start the Bluff City Cemetery. Grave markers and caskets were gradually moved from the Channing Cemetery to the Bluff City Cemetery. Channing Elementary now sits where the original cemetery once was.
Courtesy of Elgin History Museum
Elgin Dairy farmer Lester Teeple wanted to build an octagon shaped barn, but couldn't get lumber long enough in 1885. So he built the only registered 16-sided barn in Illinois. The Teeple barn was added to the National Register of Historic Places, and then collapsed in high winds in 2007. It was on Randall Road just south of I-90.
Courtesy of Elgin History Museum
The Downs family had their portrait made in front of their two-story home on Fremont Street in 1890. This is near what is now the intersection of Routes 25 and 58.
Courtesy of Elgin History Museum
The Elgin History Museum is housed in the three-story landmark building known as "Old Main." It was built in 1856 and was once part of Elgin Academy. This is the view looking north on College Street from Division Street.
Courtesy of Elgin History Museum
Trolley rails were surrounded by bricks on Highland Avenue and brick bungalows lined the street. The streetcar system was discontinued in the 1930s.
Courtesy of Elgin History Museum
As many as 350 Sears kit homes were assembled in Elgin in the first half of the 20th century. At least 200 have been recently identified by the stamps on original beams. Many are still inhabited. This model is at 357 Washburn Street, west of the Fox River.
Courtesy of Elgin History Museum
This photo of the Elgin High School football team was probably taken in the early 1900s.
Courtesy of Elgin History Museum
Elgin High School is one of the oldest high school's in Illinois. The building at 355 Chicago Street is now the U-46 school district offices. The district serves more than 40,000 students.
Courtesy of Elgin History Museum
This property is at the intersection of Dundee Avenue and Center Street in Elgin. It is still called Barclay Park because it was donated to the city as a park in 1906 by David F. Barclay, who was a four-term mayor in the late 1800s. His home still stands across Dundee Avenue as part of the Madison Funeral Home.
Courtesy of Elgin History Museum
The 15-story Elgin Tower Building was built in 1929 in Art Deco fashion to house the Home National Bank. The timing could not have been worse because the Great Depression devastated the business. The building, at 100 E. Chicago Street, is currently uninhabited.
Courtesy of Elgin History Museum
This aerial photo of the Fox River and downtown Elgin, probably taken in the 1960s, shows many building which no longer exist. The two bridges are Highland Avenue and Chicago Street.
Courtesy of Elgin History Museum
The two-story Lords Park Pavilion in Elgin was built in 1898. It can be rented for group activities.
Courtesy of Elgin History Museum
This is a used 1907 postcard featuring Elgin City Hall.
Courtesy of Elgin History Museum
This is a 1960s view of S. Grove Avenue, looking north. The Elgin Tower Building stands tall at right.
Courtesy of Elgin History Museum
The Elgin National Watch Factory was built in 1866 on 35 acres of farmland on the shore of the Fox River, and thrived for decades. In the 1920s it is said that half of the watches produced in the United States came out of this building. During World War II the company discontinued consumer watch production and instead made military watches, airplane instruments and other war effort material. The company closed in 1968 and a strip mall stands there now.
Courtesy of Elgin History Museum
Ice skating events were held on the two ponds in front of the Lords Park Pavilion. The ponds are part of Willow Creek, which is connected to the Fox River.
Courtesy of Elgin History Museum
The Clock Tower marked the main entrance of the Elgin National Watch Factory.
Courtesy of Elgin History Museum
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