Those who know downtown Aurora have this advice for visitors: “Look up.”
Don’t worry, nothing’s falling. It’s just a good way to see some of downtown’s extensive history through architectural detail.
“A lot of times, some of the neatest architectural detail and things that haven’t been altered are up,” said Amy Soprych, the city’s downtown preservation planning specialist. “If you look up, you get a different perspective.”
Note the gargoyle waterspouts on the SciTech Hands-On Museum, the Mayan terra-cotta relief on the former Elks Club building, the pot iron sculpture of a Civil War infantryman atop the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall.
Harder to miss are the ornate octagonal tower on the Paramount Arts Centre and the soaring lines of the 22-story Fox Island Place apartments.
Perhaps most architecturally significant is the blue and gold terra-cotta detailing on the Keystone Building, one of two downtown Aurora Prairie-style buildings designed by famed architect George Grant Elmslie.
All are part of what put Stolp Island, on which most of downtown lies, on the National Register of Historic Places, an honor also accorded 10 downtown buildings.
“If you’re looking for history and architecture and knowledge to feed your brain, this is the place to do it,” said Tess Wackerlin, city manager of special events and downtown services.
The history of Aurora began in 1834, when the McCarty brothers, the founders of Aurora, built a mill on the Fox River. Fourteen years later, Joseph Stolp bought the island for $12 and built a woolen mill there, launching downtown’s early history as a commercial center.
By the 1970s, when the Fox Valley Shopping Center was built, the city’s strength as a manufacturing and railroad town had dimmed. Downtown fell on hard times.
Then, in 1993, Hollywood Casino arrived, and downtown started to be remade as an entertainment destination, in no small part bolstered by city tax revenue from casino gambling.
Some of that money–more than $1 million–went to rehabilitate the 136-year-old Ginsberg Building, 20 E. Downer Pl., now home to the Art and History Center run by the Aurora Public Art Commission and Aurora Historical Society, a good place to start a tour of downtown Aurora.
Before going in, look up to see the Masonic eye symbol carved into the top of the limestone wall of the building, which originally housed the Aurora Freemasons.
Inside, on the ground level, three war-related exhibits are expected to last through much of the year.
They include photographs of Ground Zero on Sept. 11 and the next two days; exhibits from GAR Memorial Hall, which is undergoing a $1 million renovation; and the exhibit “In Defense of Liberty: Aurora Goes to War,” with artifacts from the Spanish-American War to Desert Storm.
On the second floor are displays from the Aurora Regional Fire Museum, the former central fire station where a nearly $900,000 rehab is expected to be completed by June. And on the third floor are special exhibits of the Public Arts Commission.
Once outside, cross Downer Place and walk about a block east to see GAR Memorial Hall, 23 E. Downer Pl., scheduled to reopen this fall.
Then head back west to Stolp Avenue and walk south to Benton Street, where the Elks Club building is on the northwest corner.
Just south of the Elks Club is “Swimming Stones,” a kinetic water sculpture by German artist Christian Tobin. It encompasses four granite columns, the tops of which spin on a flowing bed of water. Kids and adults can frolic in the pool below.
For visitors with children, a walk across Benton to SciTech, 18 W. Benton St., is a must.
Inside, children can investigate mini-tornadoes, time the speed of a baseball toss with Doppler radar and explore giant soap bubbles.
For adults and children, there’s the “Mighty Mastodons of Ice Age Aurora” exhibit, which features mastodon bones dug up in Phillips Park.
In SciTech’s rear courtyard, there’s the Outdoor Science Park, part of the Art and Science Walk that includes “Swimming Stones.”
The Science Park features interactive exhibits, including the Marble Xylophone, Bicycle on a Tightrope and the 40-foot-high Weather Wave.
That done, head back to Stolp and walk north. On the east side of the street, at 36 S. Stolp Ave., stop at Michael D’s Gourmet Cookies, which offers 15 cookie flavors, plus sandwiches and, on colder days, soup.
Continue north to Galena, but be sure to note the architecture along the way. At Galena, head east for about half a block to the Paramount on the south side of the street. Then cross to the other side, where you’ll find the FoxWalk.
Walk north to a set of steep stairs, then walk up to the historic New York Street Memorial Bridge. Look to the sides–and up–to see sculptures honoring World War I veterans.
Head east on the bridge to Illinois Highway 25, known locally as Broadway.
For those who are pooped out, head back south along Broadway and catch a flavor of downtown’s retail outlets, perhaps with a stop at one of the local ethnic restaurants.
Those who still have energy can cross Broadway and head north about three blocks to Walter Payton’s Roundhouse Complex, 205 N. Broadway, noting the Fire Museum on the way.
The Roundhouse is the oldest standing limestone roundhouse in the United States. It’s been converted to a brew pub and banquet hall that features live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights.
On any day, eight unique beers, including the award-winning Payton Pilsner and Sweetness Stout, as well as freshly brewed root beer, are available.
Architecture, history and football fans also can take a walking tour of the Roundhouse and Payton Museum.
THE TOUR
The Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer Pl. Hours: noon-4 p.m., Wednesday-Sunday. Suggested donations: adults $3; children, seniors $1.50; children under 12 free. Park at meters on street for up to 2 hours at 25 cents an hour, or at Stolp Island Parking Deck, southwest corner of Stolp Avenue and Downer, for 50 cents an hour with a maximum $2.50 fee.
SciTech, 18 W. Benton St. Winter and spring hours: noon-5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday; noon-8 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. Memorial Day to Labor Day hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission: adults $6, children and seniors $5. See parking above. www.scitech.mus.il.us
Michael D’s Cookies, 36 S. Stolp Ave. Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Cookies, 99 cents. Sandwiches, $3.75-$4.75. Soup, $1.99 or $3.49. See parking above.
Walter Payton’s Roundhouse Complex, 205 N . Broadway. Hours: 11 a.m.-midnight. Sunday-Thursday. 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday, Saturday. In-house beers, $3.50. Suggested tour donation: $3. Free parking on site. www.americasbrewpub.com
Time: 2 1/2-4 hours.
Total cost: $12-$20.
RESTAURANTS
Under $10: La Roca, 15 S. Broadway, 630-897-3950, a local Mexican favorite. Tavern on the Fox, 24 N. Broadway, 630-896-6667, an Irish pub with more than 60 kinds of beer. The Shore Club, 220 N. Broadway, 630-859-1498, lunch only at this favored local tavern that has a beer garden and entertainment on weekends. Paradise Inn, 26 N. Broadway, 630-859-9539, a local favorite for Cantonese and Mandarin cuisine. Aurora Pizza, Pasta and Salad, 29 W. New York St., 630-896-7896, above the trendy La Aurora Cigars and Spirits bar.
Under $20: Bambina’s Pizza and Riverfront Cafe, 5 E. Downer Pl., 630-906-6700, www.bambinas.net, local favorite for traditional thin-crust pizza and Italian cuisine. Ciara’s Place, 31 N. Broadway, 630-844-9904, a newly opened soul food restaurant.
Splurge: America’s Brewpub at Walter Payton’s Roundhouse Complex, 205 N. Broadway, 630-264-2739, has live bands on Friday and Saturday nights. Fairbanks Steakhouse at Hollywood Casino, 1 New York St., 630-801-7333, www.hollywoodcasino.com.
TIPS
Mondays and Tuesdays: Plan another outing. The Art and History Center is closed.
Preparation: Before touring downtown Aurora, get a copy of “Aurora, an Architectural Portrait,” a free Aurora Preservation Commission publication that details architectural highlights in a tour format. It’s available at City Hall or by calling 630-844-3648. Also check with the Aurora Area Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-477-4369 or 630-897-5581 or go to www.enjoyaurora.com for more information.
Stair avoidance: Those who have trouble walking up stairs can enter Hollywood Casino at the north end of the FoxWalk and take an elevator to street level.
Downtown Alive: These increasingly popular Friday night summer celebrations from June 7 to Aug. 23, except July 4 and July 26, feature free bands, open museums, vintage cars, food vendors and children’s games from 8 p.m. to midnight.
Blues on the Fox: This popular free Blues festival is scheduled for the night of June 14 and the afternoon and night of June 15. Go to www.bluesonthefox.com.
ANOTHER DAY
African-American Heritage Museum and Black Veterans Archives, 126 S. Kendall Ave., for an unusual but compelling display of art at the home of Charles Smith, a Vietnam War veteran and self-taught sculptor whose work has attracted a regional following. Smith is more than happy to give visitors a tour. 630-375-0657.
Schingoethe Center for Native American Cultures, Dunham Hall, Aurora University, Randall Road at Marseillaise Place, is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 1-4 p.m. Sunday, 630-844-5402, www.aurora.edu/museum.
Pioneer Village, Galena Boulevard and Barnes Road, is open 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. April 22 to Labor Day. See a historic farm, blacksmith shop, 19th Century homes and other historic attractions. Admission: $3.75 for adult Park District residents and $3.25 for child and senior residents; $7.50 for adult non-residents and $6.50 for child and senior non-residents. If the kids are with you, visit nearby Splash Country Aquatic Park, open June 3-Labor Day. Fees are $5 to $11. 630-897-0516, www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.
Yorkville: Go to Freeman’s Sports, 129 E. Hydraulic Drive, just east of Illinois Highway 47 on the south bank of the Fox River, to rent canoes or kayaks for $25 to $40 a day. One also can buy fishing gear at this eccentric shop run by proprietor Greg Freeman, who keeps his store open from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. seven days a week during the summer, 630-553-0515. While in Yorkville, visit the Old Kendall County Courthouse, 110 W. Madison St., which was recently restored at a cost of $2.5 million and is home to the Kendall County Natural History Museum. Admission is free, but tour groups must call ahead at 630-553-4131.
