[6] James Semple, a local lawyer, prominent politician and United States Senator from Illinois, founded Elsah in 1853 and offered free lots to anyone who built houses with stone from his quarry.

It is believed that he named the village of Elsah after Ailsa Craig, the last outcropping his family saw as they departed Scotland for the United States.

[7] By 1861, the village had grown to its current size, as geographic and economic limitations prevented further expansion.

Elsah prospered as the main shipping point for the agricultural goods produced by the farmers of Jersey County.

The village's importance diminished with the coming of the railroad, later being revitalized when Principia College was established in the 1930s.

The house is on the grounds of Principia College and named after "'Elliestoun Tower' on Castle Semple Loch" which is part of the Lands of Elliston in Scotland.

[9][10]Elsah remained mainly a quiet village until the opening of the Great River Road (Illinois Route 100) in 1964.

Today, Elsah's proximity to bald eagle watching locations make it a popular destination during the fall and winter seasons.

Elsah's location on the Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail also makes it a popular stop for bicyclists enjoying the Great River Road in any season.