Elgin, Alabama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elgin, Alabama
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 Elgin, Alabama
Location in Alabama
Elgin, Alabama
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Alabama |
| County | Lauderdale |
| Elevation | 640 ft (200 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 256 |
| GNIS feature ID | 157944 |
Elgin, also known as Elgin Crossroads, is a small community in Lauderdale County, Alabama. It is an unincorporated community, which means it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. Elgin is located where two important roads meet: U.S. Route 72 and Alabama State Route 101.
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The Story of Elgin
Elgin has had a few different names over the years! It was first known as Ingram's Crossroads. This name honored Benjamin Ingram, who owned much of the land around the area.
In 1901, the community's name was changed to Elgin. This new name was chosen to honor Elgin, Illinois.
Post Office History
A post office is a place where you can send and receive mail. Elgin had a post office that changed names several times. It was called Marmion from 1836 to 1849. Then, it became Ingram's Crossroads from 1849 to 1858. Finally, it operated as Elgin from 1901 to 1905.
Fire and Rescue Services
The Elgin Fire Department helps keep the community safe. They cover about 8 square miles and protect around 4,500 people. Their main job is to put out fires.
What Firefighters Do
Besides fighting fires, the Elgin Fire Department also helps with many other types of emergencies. They perform various rescue operations. This includes helping people get out of crashed vehicles. They also assist with rescues in tricky places, like low-angle areas.
They are trained for water rescues and searching for people lost in the wilderness. The department has a good rating for its fire protection services.
Medical Assistance
Some firefighters in Elgin are also certified paramedics or EMTs. These special firefighters respond to medical emergencies. They provide important help to people before an ambulance arrives. This means they can give immediate medical care when someone needs it most.
Fire Stations
The Elgin Fire Department operates from two different stations. Station 1 is located in the Elgin Forest neighborhood. Station 2 is in the Whitehead community. Both stations have trucks and equipment ready for any emergency. Station 1 also hosts an Advanced Life Support EMS unit. This unit provides medical coverage to Elgin and nearby towns.
