Echoes of Elgin: Timeless Tales from the Elgin History Museum

The Underground Railroad was a loosely organized, yet effective, system that helped guide formerly enslaved men, women and children to the Northern states and Canada in the years before the Civil War. Tune into this echo from October 19, 1997 to learn what there is to know about Elgin's connection.

All aboard for Clintonville and South Elgin!  That's the same place, right?  Well, it depends. Tune in to this echo from June 25, 1989 to learn why these names caused confusion a century ago.

What's up with that silo downtown by the library? Let E.C. "Mike" Alft tell you all about it in this echo from January 29, 2006.

An echo from November 29, 1992 tells the grim tale of Sara, Orville and Maud Sleep.

A turkey dinner for a family of five for only $5.50?!  Sign me up! An echo from November 3, 1985 will tell you what you missed in Novembers past.

Elgin founder James T. Gifford chose this site to start a town, knowing the Fox River would be important to its success.  He also hoped, in 1835, that the railroad would soon pass through town, bringing more opportunities for growth.  In 1850 his vision came true. Tune in to this echo from January 23, 2000 to learn how the railroad helped shape Elgin. 

Have you ever had a flat tire?  Wheel-y annoying, even back in 1907.  Two Elgin inventors sought to fix this problem but couldn't get their business rolling.  I'll spare you the puns and just recommend this echo from August 13, 1995. 

Just how well-made were Elgin National Watches? Let this echo from April 13, 1997 give you several examples.