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 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
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
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 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.
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Prior to the late 1860s, a grand three-story Italianate style building, the H. H. Evans . . . — — Map (db m148600) HM
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 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 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 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
