ELGIN NATIONAL WATCH HISTORIC DISTRICT

Elgin National Watch Historic District - 1997

Just south of Elgin's downtown is the section of town most closely associated with the Elgin National Watch Company. The company established in 1864 built its factory on a 35 acre site on the east bank of the Fox River just south of downtown. Housing for watch factory workers was provided through land purchased by the company for the construction of cottages, and through the construction of National House, a boarding house for single workers. At its peak in 1919, it contained 350 rooms. The structure was unfortunately demolished in 1932.

With the doubling of the size of the company by 1880, many new houses were constructed around the factor by employees of the company. Most of these were simple vernacular house types such as Gable Front cottages, Gable Ells, or Upright and Wings. Of the high style buildings most were Italianate with some Greek Revival and Second Empire. Construction reached its peak during the prosperous years of the company until 1920 when many new structures were built.

Notable structures within the district are the Watch Company Observatory, which set the time for clocks and watches by the stars, the Watch Factory Depot, Fire Barn #5, and the Illinois National Guard Armory. 


Sources: Elgin Design Guideline Manual for Landmarks and Historic Districts; Audio: Text Aloud