National Register Listings in Kane County, Illinois
Arcada Theater Building
Aurora College Complex
Aurora Elks Lodge No. 705
Batavia Institute
Beith, William, House
Campana Factory
Campana Factory (Boundary Decrease)
Camptown Town Hall
Central Geneva Historic District
Central Geneva Historic District (Boundary Increase)
Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy Roundhouse and Locomotive Shop
Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad Depot
City Building
Copley Hospital
Copley, Col. Ira C., Mansion
Country Tea Room
Dundee Township Historic District
Durant House
Dutch Mill
Elgin Academy
Elgin Downtown Commercial District
Elgin Historic District
Elgin National Watch Company Observatory
Elgin Tower Building
Elizabeth Place
Fabyan Villa
Fire Barn 5
First Methodist Church of Batavia
First Universalist Church
Ford, Sam and Ruth Van Sickle, House
Fox River House
GAR Memorial Building
Garfield Farm and Garfield Tavern (Boundary Increase)
Garfield Farm and Tavern
Geneva Country Day School
Gifford-Davidson House
Graham Building
Gray-Watkins Mill
Gridley, Mrs., A. W., House
Healy Chapel
Holy Cross Church
Hotel Arthur
Hotel Aurora
Hotel Baker
Hulburd, Joel H., House
Hunt House
Keystone Building
Larkin Home for Children
LaSalle Street Auto Row Historic District
Library Hall
Masonic Temple
Memorial Washington Reformed Presbyterian Church
Middle Avenue Historic District
Muirhead, Robert and Elizabeth, House
North Geneva Historic District
North Geneva Historic District (Boundary Decrease and Additional Documentation)
Oaklawn Farm
Old Second National Bank
Paramount Theatre
Pelton, Ora, House
Potter and Barker Grain Elevator
Pure Oil Station
Riverbank Laboratories
Smith, Ephraim, House
Spring-Douglas Historic District
St. Charles Hospital
St. Charles Municipal Building
St. Mary's Church of Gilberts
Stearns-Wadsworth House
Stolp Island Historic District
Stolp Woolen Mill Store
Tanner, William A., House
United Methodist Church of Batavia
Weisel, Andrew, House
West Side Historic District
White, Louise, School
Wilson, Judge Isaac, House
Wing Park Golf Course
About Kane County
Kane County Timeline
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.
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.
Kane County Timeline
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.