ELGIN, Ill., city of Kane County, 36 miles west by north of Chicago, on the Fox River. Two railroads supply adequate shipping facili ties, the Chicago, Milwaukee and Saint Paul and the Chicago and Northwestern. It is also the terminus of the Aurora, Elgin and Chicago Railway, which is a third-rail electric line be tween these cities. Two products make Elgin famous—butter and watches. The dairy in terests have probably had more to do with the development of the community than any other factor. Early in its history, The Borden Con densed Milk Company located a large plant here and since that time has established many more in the immediate vicinity. The current quotations of the Elgin Board of Trade fix the market price of high grade butter throughout the entire country. The other industry to which Elgin largely owes its growth and prosperity is the making of fine watch-movements. The watch factory was started in the spring of 1864 and has been a success from the beginning. There are many other industries in Elgin, all of which are prosperous concerns. Two watch case factories and as many shirt factories dis tribute their products throughout the country. Besides these, there are shoe, pipe organ, silver plate, automobile, coffin-fixtures, canning, malted milk, rug factories, foundries, flouring mills, etc. Two large publishing houses are located here and there are several machine shops and foundries. The United States census of manu factures for 1914 showed within the city limits 91 industrial establishments of factory grade, employing 5,974 persons; 5,529 being wage earners, receiving annually $3,320,000 in wages. The capital invested aggregated $17,371,000 and the year's output was valued at $10,492,000; of this, $6,221,000 was the value added by manu facture. Elgin is sometimes called the "City
of Churches." Nearly all denominations are represented and the various houses of worship are large and handsome. The city is noted for its public school system, which is highly devel oped and very efficient. The buildings are handsome in architecture and a new high school is in the process of construction. The Elgin Academy of the Northwestern University is a well-known preparatory school for the latter institution, which is located at Evanston, Ill.
Saint Mary's Academy is also well known throughout the State and bears a high repu tation as a place of learning. The Illinois Northern Hospital for the Insane is located in Elgin. The Elgin Woman's Club has built and operates a large hospital, which is famed throughout the country and State for its high standing and great efficiency. Its cost was about $1,000,000. The banks are six in number, four national and two savings. They have a com bined capital of over $650,000 and are prosper ous and strong financial institutions. Founded in the spring of 1835, Elgin has grown rapidly in size and importance until it now is the most beautifhl and the second largest city in Kane County. Elgin was incorporated in 1854 and Dr. Joseph Tefft was chosen the first mayor. The waterworks and sewer system and an elec tric-lighting plant are the property of the mu nicipality. The city has commission form of government. Property is in demand, owing to the number of Chicago people who, on account of good transportation facilities, are seeking more room and pleasanter homes within the . confines of the beautiful city on the Fox River. Pop. 27,485.