Elgin IL Moving Companies

Elgin, Illinois

Settlers were first attracted to the lush greenlands, rich soil and beauty of Elgin, Illinois and it’s not much different today. Located 40 miles from Chicago, nature reserves in Elgin, such as the fiercely protected Trout Park and Bluff Spring Fen, are still gorgeously raw and abundant with flora and fauna. It also boasts some of the best-preserved Victorian architecture in the country, such as Queen Ann style homes and even Sears Catalogue homes from the early 1900s. For music lovers, there’s no shortage of symphony and orchestra groups who call Elgin their home. It is also one of the fastest-growing cities in Illinois, attracting people from all walks of life, (long distance moving not an issue) eager to experience the vibrant feel of the community. Many people who consider moving to Elgin will not be disappointed with the quality of life in this city.

Economy:
In 2003 and 2005, Elgin was voted in the top 10 cities for economic development and continues to experience growth, with an approximate 2000 jobs being created each year. International companies like Geka, and NTN have taken an interest in the city. Siemens Energy & Automation, a manufacturer of wind turbines, has two plants in Elgin, injecting more than $20 million into the economy. In the 1990s The Grand Victoria Casino opened its doors. The riverboat casino attracts four million people a year, and is a big source of income for the city. The downtown area is continuing to develop, with housing, commercial properties and recreational facilities on the way.

Tourism:
Nature, history and Las Vegas-style gambling – these are the three main reasons visitors love Elgin. Aside from the nature preserves, Lord’s Park is another one of the main attractions – 112 acres of prime parkland, with a museum, petting zoo, and even a herd of buffalo to amuse visitors. History is well preserved, thanks to the members of the Elgin Heritage Commission, and fine examples of Victorian era homes and architecture can be seen in the city for everyone to enjoy. Finally, for fun and excitement, The Grand Victorian Casino offers over a thousand slot machines and games, plus tables for adults to enjoy, not to mention several fine restaurants and banquet halls. It is accessible via Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. There are two professional sports teams which call Elgin home - the Elgin Racers (International Basketball League) and the Chicago Bandits (National Pro Fastpitch Softball League).

History:
Elgin’s location in the lush Fox River valley set the stage for settlement – during the Black Hawk Indian War of 1832, soldiers who marched through the valley spread the word of this beautiful and more importantly, fertile area to the cities on the East Coast. The brothers James and Hezikiah Gifford established Elgin in 1835, on a site that they determined was perfect for a stagecoach route. The city was named for the hymn “The Song of Elgin”, James Gifford’s favorite Scottish hymn while growing up. With the arrival of the railroad route in the 1850s, Elgin became easily accessible to nearby cities like Chicago. Two industries were important to Elgin’s history at this time. First was the dairy industry, as the city quickly became well known for its butter and milk, being exported to the larger cities. Then, the Elgin Watch Company established itself in the late 19th century and was famous for the quality of their watches. It was said that up until the plant closed in the 1960s, half the pocket watches in the U.S. were Elgins. From its humble beginnings in the 1830s, Elgin has now grown into the 8th largest city in Illinois with a population of over 100,000 people.

Colleges/Universities:

• Elgin Community College
• Judson University
• National-Louis University

Interesting Facts:

• Vientiane, the capital of Laos in Southeast Asia, is sister city to Elgin. The city boasts a large Laoatian American community.
• The Elgin Public Museum is the oldest museum in Illinois.
• Paul Flory (Nobel Prize Winner), Tome Shales (Pulitzer Prize Winner), James Roches (former General Motors CEO) are all from Elgin.