Historical Marker

Elgin Road Races

Historical marker location:
Elgin, Illinois
( Marker is at the intersection of U.S. 20 and Nesler Road, on the right when traveling east on U.S. 20.)
Marker installed: 2010

Audiobooks about the history of Illinois.
Illinois is the birthplace of several famous people, including former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, Nobel Prize-winning physicist Enrico Fermi, and writer Ernest Hemingway.
Illinois random facts
Kane County, Illinois has a rich and varied history that dates back thousands of years. The region was inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Potawatomi and Fox nations, prior to European settlement. European explorers first came to the area in the 17th century, with French traders establishing relations with the native tribes.

In the early 19th century, European settlers began to arrive in Kane County, seeking new opportunities and fertile land. The first permanent settlement was established in 1834 by Joseph McCarthy, who built a log cabin in present-day St. Charles. Over the next few decades, more settlers arrived and the population grew steadily.

Kane County officially became a county in 1836, carved out of neighboring LaSalle County. It was named after Elias Kane, a United States Senator from Illinois. The county experienced rapid growth in the mid-19th century, thanks to its proximity to Chicago and the development of transportation infrastructure, such as railroads and canals.

The 20th century brought further expansion and industrialization to Kane County. Agriculture remained important to the economy, with corn and soybeans as major crops. The county also became a hub for manufacturing, particularly in the cities of Aurora and Elgin. Today, Kane County is a diverse and vibrant community, known for its beautiful natural landscapes, historic downtown areas, and strong sense of community.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Kane County, Illinois.

  • 1836 - Kane County is officially established on January 16.
  • 1837 - The first settlement in Kane County is established in Geneva.
  • 1838 - The first courthouse is built in St. Charles.
  • 1839 - The first newspaper, the Aurora Beacon, is published in Aurora.
  • 1841 - The first railroad reaches Kane County, connecting Chicago and Elgin.
  • 1844 - The town of Elgin is officially incorporated.
  • 1850 - The county population reaches over 16,000.
  • 1851 - The first public high school in Illinois is established in Elgin.
  • 1855 - The Elgin Watch Company is founded.
  • 1862 - The American Civil War begins, and many residents of Kane County enlist in the Union Army.
  • 1869 - The Illinois State Mental Hospital (now Elgin Mental Health Center) opens in Elgin.
  • 1872 - The Chicago and North Western Railway connects Elgin to Chicago.
  • 1900 - The county population reaches over 56,000.
  • 1930 - The Great Depression affects the county's economy, causing hardship for many residents.
  • 1943 - The Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab) is established near Batavia.
  • 1956 - The Kane County Fair begins its annual tradition in St. Charles.
  • 1970 - The county population exceeds 250,000.
  • 1992 - The Chicago Premium Outlets open in Aurora, boosting the local economy.
  • 2007 - The Kane County Cougars win their first Midwest League Championship.