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 . . . — — Map (db m170199) HM
The Aurora Hotel was the City's first large hotel, and for many years, its tallest building. It was erected in 1917 on the site of a mill race and swimming hole. The Georgian style, fireproof building was designed by H. Ziegler Dietz and . . . — — Map (db m94232) HM
The Aurora Public Library had modest beginnings. Two small groups, "The Young Men's Literary & Historical Society" and "The Young Men's Association" merged in 1859 to become "The Young Men's Literary Association of Aurora". "The Aurora Library . . . — — Map (db m170246) HM
The nationally known Aurora Silverplate Manufacturing Company was a producer of fine silver-plated dishes, ornaments, and tableware. Founded in 1869. Directed by many of Aurora's pioneer businessmen including Joseph Stolp, this company was one of . . . — — Map (db m69822) HM
For those who fought and died
We cry with loving pride
For those who are not yet home
We won't let you stand alone
For those who are called survivor
We pledge our honor
For those who are named here
We will forever hold dear
Charles . . . — — Map (db m94259) WM
Easily one of the most unusual buildings in Aurora, this 1926 structure designed by the firm of Zimmerman, Saxe & Zimmerman is one of the few examples of Mayan Revival design. The architects altered their original, more traditional design when they . . . — — Map (db m69823) HM
Dedicated in memory of ”Our Fathers” Grand Army of the Republic, by the Illinois Department, Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War 1861 ☆ 1865 ”Let us have faith, that right makes might and in that . . . — — Map (db m170252) WM
Aurora's east/west rivalry dates back to its beginnings. Arriving in 1834 from New York state, town founder Samuel McCarty constructed two mills on the east bank of the river, and the settlement of "McCarty Mills" grew up around them. The settlement . . . — — Map (db m170200) HM
Architect - George Grant Elmslie
Prairie style with terra cotta
ornamentation.
——————————
Prior to the late 1860s, a grand three-story Italianate style building, the H. H. Evans . . . — — Map (db m148600) HM
The Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall was built in 1877-1878, and is one of Aurora's most widely recognized landmarks. The hall served as a meeting place for Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) or "Union" veterans of the Civil War. After the . . . — — Map (db m170248) HM
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. . . . — — Map (db m94241) HM
This 1924 building is one of the significant Prairie style designs by George Grant Elmslie. It reflects some of the best features of the Prairie style, such as openings with terra cotta ornament, and the incorporation of sculpture into the design, . . . — — Map (db m170249) HM
Theatres designed in the early 20th century featured deep stages for vaudeville and other live entertainment. When silent movies became popular, vaudeville acts frequently preceded the movie, so the deep stages were still necessary. With the . . . — — Map (db m94216) HM
Aurora was the first city along the Lincoln Highway with street lights and was among the first in the nation to have them also. Yet again, enhancements to the highway spawned new commerce for communities along the road. With street lights, stores . . . — — Map (db m170198) HM
Given to Aurora, in 1857.
By Roswell Wilder, 1784-1860;
Soldier in the War of 1812.
Landlord of the Wilder Hotel,
pioneer stage house;
Builder of first school
in West Aurora, 1839.
Public Benefactor. . . . — — Map (db m94246) HM
This monument erected in honor and in commemoration of the loyal patriotic men who enlisted from the Township of Batavia Illinois in the War for the Preservation of the Union 1861-1865.
"On fame's eternal camping ground
Their silent tents are . . . — — Map (db m94260) WM
Evangelist William "Billy" Sunday and his wife Helen "Ma" Sunday owned this farm, 1899-1913, and spent their summers here. Ma was born on the farm. Billy was born in Ames, Iowa, in 1862. He played outfield for Chicago and other National League . . . — — Map (db m55486) HM
Built for horse-drawn apparatus in 1896, in anticipation of city growth, Barn No. 3 was designed by Smith Hoag. It reflects the turn-of-the-century "Storefront Style" of fire barn architecture. Designated a local landmark in 1992. — — Map (db m55596) HM
Gail Borden, pioneer in the food preservative industry, established a milk condensing plant on this site in 1865. His discovery incorporated a process by which water was evaporated from milk, and sugar added as a preservative. This process, patented . . . — — Map (db m63650) HM
From 1866 to 1966 this site was occupied by the Elgin National Watch Company. This was the first watch factory built west of the Alleghenies and grew to become the world's largest. During its lifetime over 60 million 'Elgin' watches were . . . — — Map (db m55455) HM
The Factory - 1867
Pocket watch production began in 1867. The factory, located on National Street at the south end of Grove Avenue, grew in stages until by 1920 it was the largest watchmaking complex in the world, ultimately producing more . . . — — Map (db m63436) HM
This marker is along the “south leg” of the Elgin road races. Beginning in 1910, many leading drivers and mechanics competed here in grueling tests of speed and endurance that contributed to the development of the modern automobile. . . . — — Map (db m55454) HM
In 1926 a grand hall was erected as the new home for two local Masonic organizations -- the Elgin Lodge #117 and the Monitor Lodge #552. At the time, the new Masonic Temple was Elgin's largest indoor meeting space. In addition to lodge functions, it . . . — — Map (db m63331) HM
For more than 70 years this site was occupied by the Illinois Watch Case Company. The firm was a leader in the domestic watch industry and by the 1920s had produced more than 30 million watch cases.
A subsidiary produced jewelry goods, lockets, . . . — — Map (db m55458) HM
Among Elginites who served in the Civil War, there were 153 students, teachers, administrators and trustees from Elgin Academy.
•Academy student Leverett Kelley was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for heroic action in combat at Missionary . . . — — Map (db m63437) HM WM
This tablet is made to preserve the memory of pioneers, God fearing people from Scotland and Ireland who organized this church in 1841, as a place to meet together and worship
Andrew McCornack • Robert Shedden •
William Fraser •
George . . . — — Map (db m59171) HM
Dedicated in memory of Chauncey Colton, 1800 - 1885, who along with Silas Willard was instrumental in bringing the first railroad through Galesburg. — — Map (db m224330) HM
This is dedicated to the memory of the Mexican railroad workers who helped build the railroad during the 1900’s. The workers and their families lived in three railroad camp sites:
The Davis St. camp, S. West and Sixth St., Santa Fe camp, W. . . . — — Map (db m224331) HM
These 32 acres and buildings were purchased by the Kane County Board and the Forest Preserve Commission in October 1972 A.D. from The Society of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. — — Map (db m94262) HM
To honor all men and women from
Kane County who served
in the United States Armed Forces
To detail and reflect on the sacrifices made by Veterans of this nation who defended freedom in the 20th century.
To permanently inscribe the names of . . . — — Map (db m94309) WM
Fox River Chapter #14
Royal Arch Masons
Chartered September 2, 1852
Geneva Lodge #139
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons
Chartered October 5, 1854 — — Map (db m94268) HM
Instrumental in bringing minor league baseball to Kane County, Philip B. Elfstrom has served as chairman of the Kane County board, President of the Forest Preserve District of Kane County, President of the National Association of Counties, and was . . . — — Map (db m232225) HM
Instrumental in bringing minor league baseball to Kane County, Philip B. Elfstrom has served as chairman of the Kane County board, President of the Forest Preserve District of Kane County, President of the National Association of Counties, and was . . . — — Map (db m232227) HM
Major Campaigns and Deaths
San Juan Heights/El Caney, Cuba (6/98-7/98) 1,475
Cuba Campaign (6/98-8/98) 350
Battle of February 4th, Philippines (2/99) 60
Balangiga Massacre, Philippines (9/01) 48
Manila, Philippines . . . — — Map (db m94845) WM
Geneva played an important role in connecting the cities of the Fox River Valley to the Lincoln Highway. The city was eager to cater to the newly motoring public by offering well-lit, paved streets, a stop-and-go light, and a motorcycle policeman . . . — — Map (db m94267) HM
Major Campaigns and Deaths
Meuse-Argonne, France (9/18-11/18) 26,277
Aisne-Marne, France (7/18-8/18) 6,992
Somme, France (8/18-11/18) 3,221
Oise-Aisne, France (8/18-11/18) 1,919
St. Mihiel, France (9/18) 1,799 . . . — — Map (db m94883) HM WM
In his campaign in the Fox Valley for the
office of President of the United States
John Fitzgerald Kennedy
later elected thirty-fifth President of
the United States of America, spoke here
to a crowd of citizens of this county
on . . . — — Map (db m230966) HM
The 1838 Greek Revival Peleg Young Bliss House is an example of post and beam construction, which utilizes large wooden timbers joined together with wooden pegs. While this construction technique was commonly used in homes, churches, barns and . . . — — Map (db m235370) HM
This New England style farmhouse was built circa 1848, by Samuel Wilder to resemble his former New York State home. Robert and Lucy Duff purchased this property in 1868; however, historians claim they lived at this location during the Civil War . . . — — Map (db m94312) HM
This fountain is dedicated to Otto J. Maha and his contributions to fluid power technology.
Otto received his education through night classes at the Lewis Institute of Technology, now known as the Illinois Institute of Technology. . . . — — Map (db m94524) HM
Allan Pinkerton, famous detective, had his home and cooperage on this lot, 1844-1850. Here he sheltered and employed slaves escaping to freedom. After helping to capture some counterfeiters, he became deputy sheriff of Kane County in 1848. In 1850 . . . — — Map (db m55485) HM
The History
In 1837, a young Scot settler drew a straw that gave him the privilege of naming his new home, and he chose to name it after his home town - Dundee, Scotland.
Thr River
There are over 200 islands in the Fox River between . . . — — Map (db m94540) HM