Echoes of Elgin: Timeless Tales from the Elgin History Museum

Don't forget to change your clock on Sunday when Daylight Savings Time ends.  If you are tired of the hassle, you really should have voted "No" in the referendum on the topic.  Learn more in this echo from October 25, 1992.

You have heard about Elgin's largest employer, the watch factory, but who was #2?  The Elgin Packing Company was!  Let's hear it for the west side in this echo from December 20, 1982.

Circuses have often entertained Elgin.  Learn more about some of the visiting acts in this echo from August 30, 2004.

Join Mike Alft to hear the news from October 1881, 1931, 1956 and 1971.  This echo direct from October 5, 1981.

The Elgin Police Department's annual report in 1896 gives interesting info on staffing, crime rates and department focus.  Join Mike Alft in this echo from September 8, 1996 to hear the details.

Elgin has an unlikely ambassador that brings our name into cities, towns and villages all around the world...the Elgin Street Sweeper.  Where is the farthest flung place you have seen an Elgin Street Sweeper at work?  Our echo from October 17, 1999 tells us about this hometown product.

The home at 620 Highland Ave dates to 1891, learn more about its original residents in this echo from March 25, 1984.  

In with branch banks!  Out with burn barrels! These and many more "new" developments came to Elgin in the 1970s.  This echo from October 24, 1999 gives the highlights.

Although beautiful, the Centre of Elgin building is surely not original to the Elgin riverfront.  So, what was there before the Centre?  Tune in to this echo from November 22, 2002 to find out.

Where does Elgin get its municipal water supply?  The answer has varied throughout our history.  Tune in to this echo from May 17, 2009 to get the details.

Are you going to the Elgin History Museum's Bluff City Cemetery Walk this weekend?  If so, maybe you will want to visit James Darnell (1888-1939) while you are there.  Perhaps he would appreciate the visit; I'm guessing none of his four wives keeps in touch.

In the good old days, there was no Google Maps or GPS.  There was also no guarantee that the city wouldn't change the name of the street without telling you.  Drive on thru to May 19, 2003 for a lesson on street names.

Elgin's Wing Park is almost 125 years old.  This west side gem has an interesting history, as told in this echo from August 29, 1999.

The Grove Theater began as a silent movie palace in 1920.  It still stands today.  Grab some popcorn and listen to this echo from October 8, 1995 to hear the whole plot.  

Elgin's dairy history does have some bad chapters.  This echo from February 18, 2001 details 2 outbreaks of bovine disease from our past.

Elgin's experience with roller rinks may go back further than you think.  This echo from November 26, 2000 is wheely informative. 

Tune in to this echo from April 29, 1984 to learn when Elgin crossed the line...the Cook/Kane county line, that is.

We found this interesting bit of Elgin history stuck to the underside of an old desk at the high school.  Still fresh, even though it echoes from August 11, 1985.

With Labor Day approaching, it's a perfect time to look back on working conditions of the past. Clock in to this echo from August 31, 1997 to learn about life as an employee of the Elgin National Watch Company.

Looking for fun in the 1900s?  Why not consider a bicycle, car or trolley ride of 100 miles as described in this echo from November 16, 1997? 

Did you hear about that driver going 70 mph out past Larkin?!  Well, that must have been old Smiling Ralph Mulford in his Lozier.  I guess it's time for the annual Elgin Road Races.  Let's hear all about it in this echo from April 27, 1999.

Tune in to this echo from March 13, 1983 to relive the excitement of Buffalo Bill Cody's 1896 visit to Elgin. 

Did you know Elgin had its own version of a "Gold Rush"?  Well, sort of. Tune in to this echo from June 28, 1982 to hear the details, but be careful you don't catch "pearl fever".

Who is the most famous person to ever visit Elgin?  Tune into this echo from September 30, 1984 to hear a long list of names to choose from.  

A west side block was once the home to the largest manufacturer of casket trimmings and hardware in the United States. Learn about this historic west side block in an echo from October 26, 1981.