Step inside history and explore Washington Elementary School, a striking example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture built in 1891 during Elgin’s period of rapid growth. Constructed of stone and pressed brick on Chicago Street, the school opened with modern features uncommon for its time, including steam heat, indoor plumbing, fireplaces in every classroom, and dedicated cloakrooms—innovations that reflected a forward-thinking approach to education.

For nearly 135 years, Washington School served as a cornerstone of the west-side community, fostering generations of students and even counting Nobel Prize–winning chemist Paul J. Flory among its alumni. As the school prepares to close following the 2025–2026 academic year, its legacy endures as a place that not only educated, but brought people together, shaped lives, and left a lasting mark on Elgin’s history.
***This tour includes a significant number of stairs; please plan accordingly.
Contact: Christen Sundquist, 847-931-6004
Location: 819 W. Chicago Street, street parking or parking available behind school, Enter at Rear Parking Lot, Door 4
Time:  1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.