On North Broadway (Illinois Route 25) just south of East New York Street, on the right when traveling south.
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
On Galena Boulevard at Stolp Avenue, on the left when traveling east on Galena Boulevard.
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
On West Benton Street at South Stolp Avenue, on the right when traveling east on West Benton Street.
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
On East Downer Place near South Stolp Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
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
On Lake Street (Illinois Route 31) at Vine Street, on the right when traveling north on Lake Street.
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
On South Stolp Avenue near West Benton Street, on the right when traveling south.
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
Near East Downer Place east of South Stolp Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
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
On West Benton Street, 0.2 miles east of South Lake Street (State Route 31), on the right when traveling east.
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
On South Broadway (Illinois Route 25) at Galena Boulevard, on the right when traveling south on South Broadway.
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
Near East Downer Place east of South Stolp Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
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
On Stolp Avenue at Galena Boulevard, on the right when traveling south on Stolp Avenue.
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
On South River Street at West Downer Place, on the right when traveling north on South River Street.
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
On Galena Boulevard east of Stolp Avenue, on the left when traveling east.
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
On North Broadway (Illinois Route 25) just north of East New York Street, on the right when traveling south.
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
On Lake Street (Illinois Route 31) north of Vine Street, on the right when traveling north.
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
On Batavia Avenue (Illinois Route 31) at Morton Street, on the right when traveling north on Batavia Avenue.
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
On Old Sleepy Hollow Road, on the right when traveling south.
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
On Dundee Avenue at Duncan Avenue, on the left when traveling north on Dundee Avenue.
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
On North Grove Avenue at Symphony Way, on the left when traveling south on North Grove Avenue.
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
On Park Street at College Street, on the left when traveling east on Park Street.
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
On U.S. 20 at Nesler Road, on the right when traveling east on U.S. 20.
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
On Park Street at College Street, on the left when traveling east on Park Street.
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
On Dundee Avenue at Chester Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Dundee Avenue.
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
On Park Street at College Street, on the left when traveling east on Park Street.
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
Near Highland Avenue (County Highway 47) 0.4 miles east of McCornack Road.
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
On South Seminary Street just north of East Tompkins Street, on the left when traveling south.
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
On South Seminary Street at Mulberry Street, on the right when traveling north on South Seminary Street.
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
On State Street (Illinois Route 38) at 2nd Street, on the left when traveling west on State Street.
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
Near Cherry Lane west of South Kirk Road, on the right when traveling west.
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
Near Cherry Lane, 0.1 miles west of South Kirk Road, on the right when traveling west.
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
On State Street (Illinois Route 38) at 2nd Street, on the left when traveling west on State Street.
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
On South 3rd Street south of James Street, on the right when traveling south.
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
On South Main Street just south of 1st Street, on the right when traveling south.
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
On Main Street (Illinois Route 72) east of 8th Street (Illinois Route 21), on the left when traveling west.
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
On 1st Street north of Main Street (Illinois Route 72), on the right when traveling north.
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
On South Third Street at West Main Street, on the left when traveling south on South Third Street.
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
On Lincoln Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
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
