Aurora in Kane County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Leland Hotel
1928
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 7, 2016
1. Leland Hotel Marker
This property has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior.
Designed by Anker Sveere Graven and Arthur Guy Mayger in 1928, it was the tallest building in Illinois outside of Chicago. In addition to being a first-class hotel, it became an important entertainment center. In the 1930's it was the recording studio for some of the most influential Blues musicians in the Golden Age of Blues Recording. This plaque honors this historic building, and these artists.
Harmonica Legend
Big Bill Broonzy
Guitar/Singer
Hudson "Tampa Red" Whittaker
The Guitar Wizard
Yank Rachell
Mandolin
"Robert Night Hawk"
Robert Lee McCoy
Guitar
Bill "Jazz" Gillam
Harmonica
Big Joe Williams
Guitar
Washboard Sam
Washboard
Lester Melrose
Producer
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.
Location. 41° 45.482′ N, 88° 18.921′ W. Marker is in Aurora, Illinois, in Kane County. It is at the intersection of Stolp Avenue and Galena Boulevard, on the right when
this page online
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: Millennium Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker); Block & Kuhl Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Millennium Tower (within shouting distance of this marker); Aurora Hotel Leland Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Graham Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Keystone Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Paramount Theatre (about 300 feet away); The Illiniwek and The Illinois Country (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Aurora.
Also see . . .
1. Stolp Island Historic District. Aurora IL webpage (Submitted on April 26, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. Aurora Blues History. "The Hurricane Project" webpage (Submitted on April 26, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
3. "Blues" in the Encyclopedia of Chicago. (Submitted on April 26, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr.
2. Leland Hotel
Credits. This page was last revised on August 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 26, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 963 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 26, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
