Elgin National Watch Company
The oldest portions of the district are on the southern end, between Kimball Street and Franklin Street. These houses were mostly vernacular and served the lower class. Elgin's first major commercial development was opened in the 1840s a few blocks to the south at Chicago Avenue, making the southern portion of the district attractive to the working class. In anticipation of the 1850 completion of the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad through Elgin, Kimball subdivided most of the southern portion of his property into residential developments. Initially, the subdivision did not grow as expected, with only twelve houses built by 1860. However, the 1864 opening of the Elgin National Watch Company caused a great demand for working class housing. A wagonway was extended to the district from the Watch Company, making it a convenient choice for workers.