1998 Map of Elgin

About this map

The Fox River corridor anchors this detailed late-twentieth-century study of Elgin and its surrounding communities. At this time, the suburban landscape is a dense network of residential growth, industrial sites, and educational institutions such as Judson College and Elgin Community College. The river's influence is evident in the cluster of settlements including West Dundee, East Dundee, and South Elgin, while the Northwest Tollway and the Chicago and North Western railroad indicate the region's importance as a transportation hub. A significant number of civic and religious landmarks are documented, from the sprawling grounds of the Elgin State Hospital to numerous parish schools and churches like St Marys School. The map also highlights a robust system of protected lands, including the Burnidge County Forest Preserve and Fox River Shores County Forest Preserve, balancing the intense urban development with ecological buffer zones along Tyler Creek and Jelkes Creek.