New historical marker to replace stolen Watch Case Co. plaque

With the original historical marker still missing after a theft, Elgin public works employees are brainstorming ways to make sure the replacement stays put longer.

The Elgin Heritage Commission dedicated a marker outside of the Illinois Watch Case Co. on Dundee Avenue in 2007 when the building was empty but still standing.

The building has since been demolished. Then the painted aluminum marker commemorating the site was stolen in February -- presumably by someone selling it for scrap -- prompting members of the heritage commission to apply for a new one from the Illinois State Historical Society.

Bill Briska, chairman of the commission, said the Watch Case Co. was an especially important part of Elgin's history.

"It touched a lot of lives and was really the anchor of all the industrial sites that were up on that northeast side," Briska said. "Of all the businesses, the Watch Case Co. was the largest and the most enduring."

The building went on to be home to the American Gage and Machine Co., Katy Industries and Simpson Electric before the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians bought it and decided to demolish it last summer.

Without the marker, people driving by would have no idea about the history of the Watch Case Co. or all the people it employed.

"It is like the last little vestige of that (history)," Briska said.

The Illinois State Historical Society made an identical 4-foot by 2-foot marker for $1,000. The new plaque, which is inscribed with the history of the watch company, will be installed by the end of the summer.

The state historical society has made more than 500 markers in Illinois, including three for Elgin historical sites. The Elgin Milk Condensing Co. and the site of the Elgin Road Races received similar plaques.

"It is a source of pride to have these markers," said Sarosh Saher, senior planner for the city.

Bill Furry, of the Illinois State Historical Society, said it is very uncommon for these signs to be stolen. When signs need to be replaced, it is often because a snowplow or car accident ruined them.

Police suspect someone stole the sign for its scrap metal value, but no local recycling businesses reported seeing it.

Saher said the city is looking into ways to fasten the marker more effectively to ensure it is not stolen again, leaving plans for any ceremony dedicating the marker up in the air for now.