Elgin Historic District

About

The Elgin Historic District contains part of the original plat of Elgin that was laid out in 1842 by James Gifford. Land within the district was completely platted by 1859 with streets laid out in a modified grid pattern. Visitors and residents are still welcome to tour this architecturally significant neighborhood.

A free self-guided tour can be found on Historic Elgin’s website.

Gifford Park

Gifford Park is the city’s first public park and it was laid out by James Gifford in his 1844 addition. The park was later enlarged in the 1850s. The park has been an amenity in the district since the mid-19th century and it was landscaped and equipped as a playing area in 1980.

School to Museum

In the early 1850s, the dream of building a school became a reality as a board of trustees laid the foundations for an academy in 1848. This building was completed in 1855 through 1856 and became known as Old Main. The three-story brick building was designed in the Greek revival style with a large portico on the primary facade and a bell tower at the roof line.

The building was damaged by fire in 1911 and the upper floor was rebuilt. The building was used as a school until 1969, and in 1976 a fund drive to restore the building was initiated. Much of the building’s original appearance was restored including the original roof form and bell tower. In 1987, the building opened as a museum operated by the Elgin Area Historical Society.

• Information provided by the City of Elgin.