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

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

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.

John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson
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.

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41° 45.482′ N, 88° 18.921′ W. Marker is in Aurora, Illinois, in Kane County. Marker is at the intersection of Stolp Avenue and Galena Boulevard, on the right when traveling south on Stolp Avenue. Marker and hotel are on Stolp Island in the Fox River. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7 South Stolp Avenue, Aurora IL 60506, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Aurora Hotel • Leland Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Paramount Theatre (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Aurora Silverplate Manufacturing Co. (about 300 feet away); Dedicated in Memory of Our Fathers (about 500 feet away); Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall (about 500 feet away); Joseph and Samuel McCarty (about 600 feet away); German-American Bank Building • American National Bank (about 700 feet away); BPO Elk's Club Building (about 700 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 Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

2. Aurora Blues History. "The Hurricane Project" webpage (Submitted on April 26, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

3. Dr. John Teaches About Us About Music. (Submitted on April 26, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
4. "Blues" in the Encyclopedia of Chicago. (Submitted on April 26, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Leland Hotel image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr.

2. Leland Hotel

Credits. This page was last revised on November 24, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 26, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 399 times since then and 92 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 26, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.