[1] The Gifford–Davidson House is unusual due to its cobblestone construction and Second Empire style details.

In 1835, he left Dundee to head west to Kane County, Illinois, where he helped to found the town of Elgin.

Gifford built a log cabin on what is now a park between Fulton, Villa, and Geneva Streets.

Gifford constructed roads connecting Elgin to nearby communities—to the east to Bloomingdale and to the west to Belvidere.

He left Elgin for a period to found the town of Port Ulao, Wisconsin.