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Home Illinois Kane County Elgin Historical Markers Elgin National Watch Company

Elgin National Watch Company

Elgin, IL , USA

Latitude & Longitude: 42° 2' 26.16", -88° 17' 12.12"
  Illinois IL State Historical Marker
Illinois State
Historical Marker

 
From 1866 to 1966 this site was occupied by the Elgin National Watch Company. This was the first watch factory built west of the Alleghenies and grew to become the world's largest. During its lifetime over 60 million 'Elgin' watches were manufactured here. The building was highlighted by a 144 foot tall clock tower containing dials with numerals three feet in length - a foot longer than those of London's 'Big Ben.' Located nearby was an observatory built for astronomical time determination before the advent of national standards. The observatory is now used as a planetarium by School District U-46.

Last updated: 2/14/2015 15:17:00
 
   
 
 
Elgin National Watch Company Illinois Map