Aurora in Kane County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

31 North Broadway

Downtown Heritage Tour

— 17 —

31 North Broadway Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 26, 2016

1. 31 North Broadway Marker

Inscription. This building was originally a residence. An early photograph identifies it as the home of E.D. Huntoon, an early settler who came from Maine in 1837. Remnants of that building were found in the form of rough-hewn timber walls (the axe marks are visible) when the building was being rehabilitated in the late 1990s.

As early as 1868, Broadway was becoming an important commercial strip. By then, 31 North Broadway had been converted to a butcher shop, operated by Charles Weinang. The Weinang family also lived in the building. Over time many businesses have set up shop at this address, including May & Jungels Shoes (1895), Bowman's Delicatessen (1929), and the Mural Lounge (1955). The building was renovated in 1999 to resemble its 1912 appearance, as seen in the above photo. (Marker Number 17.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1837.

Location. 41° 45.48′ N, 88° 18.732′ W. Marker is in Aurora, Illinois, in Kane County. It is on North Broadway (Illinois Route 25) just south of East New York Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located along the sidewalk, directly across North Broadway from the subject building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 32 North Broadway, Aurora IL 60505, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The City of Lights (within shouting distance of this marker); Memorial Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Joseph and Samuel McCarty (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Aurora National Bank Building (about 400 feet away); German-American Bank Building • American National Bank (about 400 feet away); Paramount Theatre (about 600 feet away); Aurora Hotel • Leland Hotel (about 800 feet away); Block & Kuhl Store (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Aurora.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Aurora, Illinois — Downtown Heritage Tour

Marker detail: Labor Day Parade 1912 image. Click for full size.

Courtesy Aurora Historical Society

2. Marker detail: Labor Day Parade 1912

This stretch of the east side of North Broadway is shown during the Labor Day Parade in 1912. The building at 31 North Broadway is the second from the left. When the building was rehabilitated in the late 1990s, the owners chose to replicate its appearance from this time period. Portions of the building, however, date from before 1852.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 26, 2016

3. 31 North Broadway Marker

(looking east across North Broadway • subject building is behind marker)

31 North Broadway image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 26, 2016

4. 31 North Broadway

(looking across North Broadway from marker)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 4, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 426 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 5, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.