Elgin National Watch Company Observatory, Elgin

Name: Elgin National Watch Company Observatory
Address: 312 Watch St, Elgin, United States

#3 among attractions in Elgin

Top attraction, Observatories and planetariums

Elgin National Watch Company Observatory

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Elgin National Watch Company Observatory, Elgin

Facts and practical information

The Elgin National Watch Company Observatory is a historic building in Elgin, in the U.S. state of Illinois. It was built in 1910 to serve the Elgin National Watch Company two blocks to the west. The two-story observatory provided data on time that was scientifically accurate to a tenth of a second. Manufacturers could then produce a more accurate watch. The observatory was an important part of the company's legacy, and they even changed their motto to reflect this. By 1950, the Elgin National Watch Company could no longer compete with wristwatch companies. The observatory was donated to a local school district and became known as the School District U-46 Planetarium/Observatory. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. ()

Built: 1910 (114 years ago)Coordinates: 42°1'49"N, 88°16'26"W

Address

312 Watch StElgin United States

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Day trips

Elgin National Watch Company Observatory – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Grand Victoria Casino, Elgin District, Elgin Public Museum, Elgin Professional Building.

~1700 ftW
Gambling, Boat or ferry, Nightlife
Grand Victoria Casino, Elgin
9 min walk • The Grand Victoria Casino Elgin is a riverboat casino in Elgin, Illinois, United States, located about 40 mi west of Chicago. It is owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment.
0.7 miNW
Church
Elgin District, Elgin
18 min walk • The Elgin District is a geographic area within the Northern Illinois Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and is led by a District Superintendent.
1 miNE
Museum, Children's museum, History museum
Elgin Public Museum, Elgin
27 min walk • The Elgin Public Museum of Natural History and Anthropology in Lords Park is a natural history museum located in Elgin, Illinois. The museum, now over a hundred years old, is located within the 108-acre Lords Park.
0.8 miNW
Gothic Revival architecture
Elgin Professional Building, Elgin
20 min walk • The Elgin Professional Building is a historic high-rise building constructed in 1928 at 164 Division Street in downtown Elgin, Illinois. The building is 8 stories, at 96 feet tall, and functions primarily as an office building, housing the Elgin Art Showcase on the top floor since 2007.
0.9 miNW
Concerts and shows, Theater
The Hemmens Cultural Center, Elgin
24 min walk • The Hemmens Cultural Center is a 1,200-seat theatre in Elgin, Illinois, United States. It's also the home of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra.
0.8 miN
Museum, History museum
Elgin Area Historical Society, Elgin
20 min walk • The Elgin Area Historical Society is a non-profit organization that preserves and presents the history of the Elgin, Illinois area. Located at 360 Park Street in Elgin, Illinois on the Elgin Academy campus. The historic "Old Main" building houses offices, research facilities, the Elgin History Museum, and a gift shop.
1 miNE
42°2'27"N • 88°15'38"W
Lords Park Zoo - Elgin, Elgin
26 min walk • Park, Playground, Outdoor activities
0.4 miSE
Museum, History museum
Fire Barn 5, Elgin
10 min walk • Fire Barn 5 or Fire Station 5 is a historic building in Elgin, Illinois. It was the fifth official fire barn in Elgin, originally housing horses and a fire fighting carriage. Over the years, the carriage was replaced by automobiles.
0.5 miNW
Church, Romanesque architecture
First Universalist Church, Elgin
14 min walk • The First Universalist Church in Elgin, Illinois was built in 1892. It was designed by George Hunter to resemble a pocket watch in Richardsonian Romanesque style. The church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. It was subsequently included as a contributing property in the Elgin Historic District.
0.8 miN
Universities and schools, Greek Revival architecture
Elgin Academy, Elgin
21 min walk • Elgin Academy is an independent, coeducational, college-preparatory school in Elgin, Illinois, United States. Elgin Academy is notable for many accomplishments, such as their Scholastic Bowl and WYSE teams.
0.8 miNW
Skyscraper
Elgin Tower Building, Elgin
22 min walk • The Elgin Tower Building, originally the Home Banks Building, is a historic office building in downtown Elgin, Illinois. The tower is 186 feet tall and 15 stories. It was built in 1929 to house the Home National Bank and Home National Savings and Trust.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which popular attractions are close to Elgin National Watch Company Observatory?

Nearby attractions include Grand Victoria Casino, Elgin (9 min walk), Fire Barn 5, Elgin (10 min walk), Elgin Historic District, Elgin (11 min walk), First Universalist Church, Elgin (14 min walk).

How to get to Elgin National Watch Company Observatory by public transport?

The nearest stations to Elgin National Watch Company Observatory:

Train

National Street (10 min walk)
Elgin (20 min walk)

Bus

State & Locust • Lines: 546, 801 (18 min walk)
Locust & Crystal • Lines: 546 (19 min walk)