Echoes of Elgin: Timeless Tales from the Elgin History Museum

Maybe you knew it as "Dog Town".  Learn more about the Trout Park Subdivision in this echo from July 20, 1997.

On September 11, 1928 James P.Burns, and his dog Pedro drove blindfolded through downtown Elgin for 2 hours.  Tune into this echo from March 16, 1997 to hear all about his amazing feat.

Do you live in a cottage built by Peter Burritt?  Tune in to this echo from July 13, 1997 to find out.

If you live on West Highland Ave, you are going to want to hear this echo from September 14, 1997.

Alderman Louis Schrader (1835-1919) had a side hustle, nothing wrong with that, according to this echo from September 28, 1997.

FORE!  Four minutes on the history of the Elgin Country Club in this echo from December 14, 1997, that is.  

Fill up the tank with a bit of history from this April 23, 2000 echo

Mike Alft explains why we have two Dundees, in this echo from March 10, 1996.

A December 15, 2007 echo listing 16 female trailblazers you ought to know.

In this echo from November 30, 1999 Mike Alft tells us about the 1980s in Elgin.

P.T. Barnum brought the smallest and the largest visitors to Elgin in 1877.  Learn more in this echo from September 10, 2000.

Learn about one of the city's oldest and lesser known industries in this echo from June 25, 2000.

The 1932 murder of Herman Holtz was published in a national true crime magazine.  Mike Alft tells you more in this echo from May 14, 2000.

Buckle up (j/k there were no seatbelts back then) and listen to this echo from April 27, 1999 when E.C. Mike Alft tells us about the start of the Elgin Road Races and the man behind them.

Just one more thing that makes Elgin unique, our collection of garabungalows.  Tune into this echo from May 26, 1996 to learn about this distinctive home style and where to find one.

This echo from May 13, 2002 celebrates some of Elgin's historic homes.

Did you ever think about just how tiny the parts were inside an Elgin National Watch?  Listen to this echo from August 20, 2001 to learn more.

Windows, fences and chimneys, oh my!  E.C. Alft left no Elgin history topic unexplored, as evidenced by this echo from February 27, 2000.

An echo from February 20, 2000 tells of several times Elgin school kids saw an unexpected day off of classes, including the story of T.A. Larsen. 

Chicago's Iroquois Theater burned on December 30, 1903.  Among those in the audience were several Elginites.  An echo from February 13, 2000 gives the details.

Wait.  You're not afraid of rabid dogs, runaway horses and coal gas asphyxiation?  Well, aren't you modern.  This echo from June 24, 2002 probably won't make you anxious at all.

Daylight Savings Time is the star (or villain) of this echo from January 20, 2003.

From November 1964 to May 1968 there was an undisputed king of Lords Park.  Learn about Elgin's own lion in this echo from June 19, 2003.

Let's hear it for the West Side!  Lots of interesting info on west side gems in this echo from March 22, 2004.

Tune in to this echo from May 14, 1989 to hear about Arlene Warner's awesome week.

When you think Elgin....you should think Hawaiian Guitar Band champs! Let this echo from April 13, 1986 prove it.

June is a traditional month for weddings.  This echo from June 17, 2002 describes some of Elgin's more unique weddings and marriages.

Grace Marsh Topping had an abundant life, filled with the joys of service to her church and community.  Learn more in an echo from May 18, 1986.

You have 2 easy ways to learn about the old Elgin Academy, this echo from March 19, 1989 or the exhibit at the Elgin History Museum.

The Germans were one of Elgin's earliest Immigrant groups.  Pour yourself an Adler Brau and listen to this echo from October 2, 1983.

Leath Furniture was once a staple Midwestern retailer, and it all began here in 1903.  Pull up a recliner (only $4.95 at Leath in 1914) and learn more from this October 14, 1984 echo.

The Fox River plays a key role of Elgin's story.  Tune into this echo from December 28, 1981 to hear about some of the early steamships on the Fox.

November 24, 1883 was a big day in Elgin.  Bask in the electric glow of this echo from December 11, 1983.  

What would be called a nuisance today was once a treasured community tradition.  This echo chimes in from February 8, 1987.

The stories of the 1936 Elgin half-dollar coin and our Pioneer Memorial are told in this echo from October 12, 1986.

Dig into this echo from November 29, 1998 to hear more about how gravel was once a common Elgin export.

Local genealogists owe a hearty "Thank You" to John Newcomb.  Learn why in an echo from November 6, 1988.

Motorless racers and pushmobiles were all the rage in Elgin in 1910-1915.  This echo from August 17, 1986 tells the tale.

In case you missed the news items from the month of May 1888, 1913, 1938, 1963 and 1978...this echo from May 1, 1988 will catch you up.

Horse racing in Elgin?  You bet!  Odds are, you will enjoy this echo from November 13, 1983.

If running for 26 miles does not interest you, maybe you will like the other kinds of marathons described in this echo from November 25, 1984.

A mysterious airship was sighted over Elgin in 1897, just as predicted.  E.C. "Mike" Alft reports the facts in this echo from September 25, 1983.

Did you eat yet?  Tune into this echo from August 19, 2002 to see if your favorite supermarket, past or present, is mentioned in this list of Elgin's best.

The Kane County Poor Farm played a key role in addressing a problem still all too common today. This echo from July 30, 1989 gives a brief history of the institution.

Elgin's post office dates to July 19, 1839.  Learn it's history in this echo from November 29, 1987.

Not every business can succeed.  Here are some past failures, as reported by E.C. Mike Alft on November 22, 1998.

Tune into this echo from April 1, 2002 to find out what was making news in Elgin in April of 1902, 1927, 1952, 1977 and 1992.

All Aboard! This tiny steam-powered podcast is stopping at August 30, 1987 so passengers can learn about when Elgin made tiny trains!  Watch Your Step!

Elgin has always been the place to be.  Learn which famous celebrities have come to Elgin in this echo from September 23, 1984.

Tune in to this echo from December 18, 1983 to hear some great advertising ideas from the Borden Milk Co, circa 1893.