Built in 1885 in the Chateauesque style for the founder of the nation’s largest interdenominational publishing house, this once-impressive mansion at the corner of Division and N. Gifford streets suffered unsympathetic additions during the many years it served as a health center. Subsequently it sat vacant and suffered further damage until an exhaustive search by GPA resulted in its sale in 2018 to a couple who are at work restoring it to a single-family home. GPA has also committed $50,000 to an exterior restoration project for it. Located at 105 N. Gifford Street.

Built in 1887 for a real estate subdivider and stepson of Gail Borden for whom Elgin’s library is named, this massive masonry mansion has a blending of Eastlake, Romanesque and Chateauesque detailing. Though converted to a funeral home in 1940, it retains its original appearance, due in no small part to the efforts of its current owners, GPA members Tom and Donna Leetz. Learn more here. Located at 364 Division Street.

An excellent example of the Queen Anne style, this mansion was built in 1889 for one of the founders of the Elgin Board of Trade and whose ownership and control of more than 50 creameries made him one of America’s leading butter men. After serving as a private club/restaurant in the 1980s, it reverted to a single-family home. Learn more here. Located at 321 Division Street.

Trout Park is located near the intersection of Interstate 90 and Route 25 and stretches west to the Fox River. Originally a trout farm, this site has been home to an amusement park, a botanical garden, and the Trails & Treasures Tea Room. Today, the City of Elgin Parks & Recreation Department continues to maintain the park along with the Friends of Trout Park, a committed group of volunteers. The group monitors species, collect and disperse seeds of native wildflowers, grasses, and trees, remove invasive vegetation, maintain trails, and lead wildflower walks for the general public. Please note the playground is temporarily closed.

Photo courtesy of Somdeb of theamazingexposure.

The North East Neighborhood Association is working to save the iconic DC Cook Building, currently threatened by a potential demolition. Talk a walk by this impressive building located at 850 N. Grove Avenue.

One of the few remaining artifacts from the site of the Elgin National Watch Company is the Railroad Depot that served the factory. Those of you with old Elgin Watch postcards or tins can see this building in the fore corner. The depot continues to be in the restoration process. Watch a video about the history of the Watch Factory Depot here.

The Elgin School District U-46 Planetarium opened its doors in September 1963 for students to learn about astronomy under the dome. It was built to serve the burgeoning U-46 population during the space race that eventually landed us on the Moon. It is an addition to the back of the original part of the building, the 1909 Elgin National Watch Company Observatory. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places. Located at 312 Watch Street.

The Elgin National Watch Company Historical Landmark marker is located at the intersection of East National Street and South Grove Avenue, at the entrance to the Clock Tower Plaza. Walk by and imagine the grand old Elgin National Watch Company that stood in this very place!

Garfield Elementary School is one of Elgin’s oldest schools, celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2020. In honor of the anniversary, a display is being created for the front of the school to display its original bell, which was recently dug up by School District U-46′s plant operations team. The bell will be placed on pillars in a small plaza in front of the school, surrounded by 100 personalized bricks and two flag poles. Located at 420 May Street.

Washington Elementary School celebrated 125 years in 2017. To mark the day students planted a tree in the front yard and a community celebration took place. Over the years expansions have been carefully done to preserve some of the original 1890s Richardson Romanesque look. The original school bell that used to hang in the attic was on display and a portrait of George Washington made a surprise return to its original home. Donated to the school in 1899, the artwork went missing until it showed up in the mail one day in the fall of 2016. A man from Colorado found it in a frame he purchased at a Goodwill Store. The portrait now hangs in the school for all to enjoy. Take a walk by this historic school, located at 819 W. Chicago Street.

St. Laurence Catholic Church officially opened with Forty Hours Devotion on November 24, 1929. A dedication occurred May 18, 1930. The church underwent a renovation on the interior beginning in 1971 under the guidance of Father Philip O’Neil. The church was closed for about 5 weeks with mass being celebrated in the auditorium. The re-dedication took place on November 28, 1971.

In 2003 the parish undertook a major renovation on the building to add a narthax, elevator and sacristy. The renovation also enlarged the balcony and returned the church to a more traditional look. It is how the church stands today. Talk a walk by this beautiful church located at 225 Jewett Street.

This Elgin school has been located at 335 Locust Street since 1855. It was burned down and rebuilt three times, the last in 1906, at which time it was re-named the George P. Lord School, in honor of the philanthropist, and designed by Elgin architect, W.W. Abell. The Lord School closed in 1939. In 1941 it was sold to the three Elgin Catholic parishes and re-named St. Edward High School, which opened in the fall of 1941. In 1950-51 St. Ed’s built a gymnasium addition, which is now the oldest building on campus. The former Lord School, which became St. Ed’s core building, was razed in 1967. St. Ed’s has also had additions in 1963, 1970 and 2002. Located at 335 Locust Street.

Zion Lutheran Church was founded in 1882 by immigrant families who moved to Elgin looking for work, mostly in the Elgin Watch Company. Today it is a lively congregation committed to serving in the community, connecting to neighbors, and joining in doing God’s work. This is a friendly, connected and creative congregation with a progressive mindset where ALL are welcome and invited to join in God’s work. Walk by this lovely church located at 330 Griswold Street.

Lowrie Elementary School is standing strong after opening in 1889. Over the past 131 years the school has served the Elgin community and is one of the oldest schools in the U-46 District. Some classrooms still have hardwood floors and coat closets. The original bell tower is now outside by the announcement sign. Years ago the school was threatened to be demolished but the school’s parent-teacher association and neighborhood residents joined together to physically hug the school in protest. Talk a walk by this beautiful old school located at 264 Oak Street.

Ryerson Park is charming one-acre neighborhood park located on Route 31, just south of National Street. While the playground equipment is currently closed, you can still walk through and enjoy the park. Located at 355 S. State Street.