Elgin Sesquicentennial

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In 2022 the City of Elgin hosted a year-long Sesquicentennial celebration in honor of the community’s founding in 1872. This was a year for the entire community to commemorate, educate and celebrate the rich history and highlight the cultural fabric of the last one 150 years. 

Thanks so much to our Elgin community and ETX 150 committee for helping make our Sesquicentennial Year such a success. It takes all of us working together. We did it! 

We celebrated our ETX 150 success at Elgin's Council Meeting, January 3, with a presentation headed by ETX 150 Event Coordinator, Sarah O'Brien. Enjoy the presentation, click here.

Time to Shine

Tis the season for FREE holiday themed children’s activities, Santa's reindeer games, Christmas carols, and festive food trucks! This new event is being held in conjunction with the Hot Cocoa Stroll & Elgin Lighted Christmas Parade and features the official dedication of our #ETX150 time capsule at 1:50 p.m. at the library.

Elgin Lighted Christmas Parade Application

T.R.E.E. Initiative Help Plant 150 Trees for the Sesquicentennial

Lets Talk Trees Header

Veteran's Day Parade

Veteran's Appreciation Lunch

Veterans Appreciation Lunch

Glowing Into 2023

Join us! Dancing, food, photo booths, games, and a spectacular fireworks display! Activities for kids, snacks, DJ, and a s'mores bar.

7:00 PM to midnight, and fireworks starting at 9:30 PM

There will be a champagne toast & Black-Eyed Peas at midnight!

Elgin Glowing Into 2023 Bubbles 

Get Social With Us!

Follow us on Facebook @etx150. For more information on all things #etx150, connect with us by emailing infoetx150@gmail.com or give us a call at (512) 229-3227.

Join the Celebration!

ETX 150 Volunteer information: infoetx150@gmail.com

Sesquicentennial Committee

Elgin will be 150 years old in 2022 –City Council appointed a Sesquicentennial committee to develop a plan for celebrating the 150th anniversary which includes projects, and events in partnership with organizations and businesses throughout the community.

See the July 2022 Elgin Sesquicentennial Committee Members Here. 

See the 2021 Elgin Sesquicentennial Committee Members Here. 



Founders Day Thank You from ETX150.IG
THANK YOU ELGIN, TX! (1)

Email Signature Logo:

The Sesquicentennial belongs to the community! Use this on your email signature. Contact us about adding 150th branding to your business materials: infoetx150@gmail.com.

Download the Elgin Sesquicentennial Logo here. 
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720984_City of Elgin_Cover_proof v21024_1

Official Sesquicentennial Book Launch

The Elgin Sesquicentennial Year was proclaimed by the Elgin City Council on January 4, 2022. The celebration of Elgin’s 150th birthday provides an opportunity for reflection of the city’s important accomplishments and milestones. A book was prepared by volunteers who are interested in local history. Its purpose is to describe how Elgin was formed as a municipality, provide information about significant events, and capture stories about community leaders. “Milestones: Elgin, Texas History” offers historical facts interspersed with accounts about its citizens and numerous photographs.

Sydna Davis Arbuckle started writing the book at the beginning of 2022. She experienced health problems mid-year and enlisted help from friends and colleagues to complete the work. Together, the writers achieved the purpose of this sesquicentennial publication—to memorialize significant events of the last 150 years that have shaped the community and will guide its future.

The events and stories are offered as milestones, not as a full history of the City of Elgin. Other events and stories could have been told. This book’s milestones were selected to provide an overview of Elgin’s history and to inform and hopefully entertain future generations. The books will be available for sale on Saturday, August 20th at the official Founder’s Day Birthday Bash. Author Sydna Arbuckle will be on hand to sign your official copy. “Milestones: Elgin, Texas History” retails for $20 and will be available in the ETX150 online store and participating retailers after August 20th.

Sesquicentennial Float

Elgin Sesquicentennial Events Retrospective.


Hatitude 2022

Hatitude 2022 honored Sister Ruby J. Simms on Feb. 4, 2022. Everyone showed up in their best attire at the elegant event. 

Hatitude 2022 picture slideshow
Celebrating Black History Month Saturday, February 5th  

March Sip Shop & Stroll

We had the Elgin High School choir perform at Nofsinger House (better known as City Hall) for Sip Shop and Stroll as part of the Elgin Sesquicentennial celebration. View the video of that performance here.

Enjoy Sip Shop and Stroll from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. every second Thursday of the month in Downtown Elgin!

CELEBRATE ELGIN'S   150 Years in 2022 


Nov. 1 DIA DE LOS MUERTOS

Downtown Elgin

Nov. 5 TEXAS ARBOR DAY

Elgin Memorial Park

Nov. 12 VETERANS APPRECIATION PARADE

Downtown, 10 a.m.

Dec. 3 TIME TO SHINE: LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADE & HOT COCOA STROLL

Tis the season for FREE holiday themed children’s activities, Santa's reindeer games, Christmas carols, and festive food trucks! This new event is being held in conjunction with the Hot Cocoa Stroll & Elgin Lighted Christmas Parade and features the official dedication of our #ETX150 time capsule at 1:50 p.m. at the library.

Free Children activities run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

ETX 150 Time Capsule dedication 1:50pm

Hot Cocoa Stroll with the Elgin Chamber of Commerce from 2-5 (purchase a souvenir mug and enjoy hot cocoa samples)

Elgin Lighted Parade starts at 6 p.m. Line up at 4:00pm at Elgin Memorial Park. 

Parade Route is Main Street at 11th traveling south through downtown sponsored by City of Elgin, Elgin Volunteer Fire Department and Bastrop Travis Counties ESD #1

To sign up your float, please download registration form

Immediately after the parade join us for a Free showing of The Polar Express at 8:00 pm at City Hall - 310 N Main Street and more festive food trucks!

Live Nativity provided by St. Peter’s Lutheran Church after the parade approximately 7:00 pm at Veterans Memorial Park - 109 Depot Street.