It is important to understand the history and growth of Elgin, St. Charles, and Batavia in the context of the settlement history and growth of the Kane County. It is equally important to understand the history of each city in order for the community to plan for its future. Therefore, development histories and discussions of recent development trends will follow a brief discussion of the history of Kane County. Kane County is characterized by 160 years of settlement history. According to the 2020 Land Resource Management Plan, "An understanding of this past settlement history provides a foundation for a land use management strategy that allows growth, while preserving some of the area’s historic character" (107). Prior to 1833, Native American Tribes such as Fox, Kickapoo, Mascouten, Illinois, and Pottawatomie inhabited small villages along the Fox River that would become Kane County. By 1836, these tribes were relocated to lands west of the Mississippi River by European settlers.

Cheap, fertile land west of the Appalachian Mountains prompted westward migration and, in 1833, the first recorded settler in Kane County, Christopher Payne, established his home just east of the present city of Batavia. Settlers in the Fox Valley had abundant use of hardwood forests for building and for fuel, the Fox River for waterpower, fertile farmland, springs for drinking water, and stone outcroppings for foundations and structures. Woodlands and prairie comprised most of the land to the west of the river. By 1836, enough settlers had arrived for the Illinois legislature to establish Kane County. Early settlers first populated the shores of the Fox River; the early clusters of homes, farms, and dams established the beginnings of the urban corridor (including Elgin, St. Charles, and Batavia).

Railroads were the greatest influence on the growth of Kane County from 1850-1910. The first railroad to Kane County was the Chicago & Northwest, the main line reaching Elgin in 1850. With the expansion of the rail network, farmers and manufacturers were able to compete in markets further away, including Chicago. These railroads were instrumental in the establishment of Kane County as a prominent dairy region during the 1860’s. Today, Kane County continues to experience growth from the post-World War II growth spurt. However, changes in technology and energy sources in the 1970’s resulted in the loss of some manufacturing businesses. As a result, the cities along the Fox River were faced with the challenge of replacing lost tax base and jobs.

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