We received a number of requests from community members to share the Powerpoint slides from the March 29 State of the City address. As Aurora, Illinois, celebrates its 175th birthday, here are some historical photos and some facts about our great City. Enjoy.

1. State of the City 2012
The Hon. Thomas J. Weisner
City of Aurora • 175 Years of Aurora
Mayor, City

2. Aurora Factoid
Aurora is the second largest
city in the state of Illinois
with a population of
197,899 residents.
It is the 112th largest city in
the United States.
City of Aurora • 175 Years

3. Thank You to Sponsor
Waubonsee
City of Aurora • 175 Years College
Community

4. Chief
Waubonsie
City of Aurora • 175 Years

5. S. McCarty
1810-1889
City of Aurora • 175 Years

6. Aurora Factoid
In 1881, Aurora was one of
the first cities in the nation
to have all-electric street
lights – thus the nickname
“The City of Lights.”
City of Aurora • 175 Years

7. Joseph Stolp
1812-1899
City of Aurora • 175 Years

8. Stolp Flood
c. 1857
City of Aurora • 175 Years

9. Aurora Factoid
The July 17-18, 1996, flood
measured 16.9” of rain in 24
hours.
It holds the State record for
rainfall.
It is also the second highest
nationally.
City of Aurora • 175 Years

10. McCarty Mills c.
1858
City of Aurora • 175 Years

11. Aurora House c.
1854
City of Aurora • 175 Years

12. Aurora Factoid
In 1837, the post office was
established in Aurora.
In 1857, the East and West
sides joined together and
incorporated.
Stolp Island was selected for
the municipal locations
because it was the central.
City of Aurora • 175 Years

13. Steam Engine
c. 1865
City of Aurora • 175 Years

14. Stolp Island
c. 1866
City of Aurora • 175 Years

15. Grocery
c. 1874
City of Aurora • 175 Years

16. Circus Parade
c. 1890
City of Aurora • 175 Years

17. Aurora Factoid
Six public school districts
serve the Aurora community
with more than 46 schools.
In addition, there are 22
other schools, including
IMSA, three Catholic high
schools, and seven Catholic
elementary schools.
City of Aurora • 175 Years

18. Riverview Park
c. 1907
City of Aurora • 175 Years

19. Minor League Ball
c. 1911
City of Aurora • 175 Years

20. City of Aurora • 175 Years

21. First Cars
Early 1900s
City of Aurora • 175 Years

22. Aurora Factoid
Aurora has one of the
largest collections of Sears
Catalog Homes with more
than 50 examples.
There are also seven
examples of Lustron (all-
steel) homes in the City.
City of Aurora • 175 Years

23. GAR
c. 1905
City of Aurora • 175 Years

24. Driving Park
c. 1908
City of Aurora • 175 Years

25. Aurora Factoid
In 1906, a tornado struck
the Aurora Driving Park –
where Riddle Highlands is
today.
However, that evening’s
grandstand was full for the
Ringling Brothers’ "Greatest
Show on Earth" circus.
City of Aurora • 175 Years

26. GAR Arch
c. 1909
City of Aurora • 175 Years

27. Downer Bridge
c. 1910
City of Aurora • 175 Years

28. Aurora Factoid
The century-old sports
rivalry between East Aurora
#131 and West Aurora #129
is the oldest continuous
rivalry in the State of Illinois.
City of Aurora • 175 Years

29. Auto Parade
c. 1910
City of Aurora • 175 Years

30. Well Works
c. 1912
City of Aurora • 175 Years

31. Downer Bridge
c. 1912
City of Aurora • 175 Years

32. Armistice Day
1918
City of Aurora • 175 Years

33. Aurora Factoid
When constructed in 1927,
Leland Tower on Stolp Island
was the tallest building in
Illinois outside of Chicago.
Today, it is listed on the
National Register of
Historical Places.
City of Aurora • 175 Years

34. Sylvandell
c. 1920
City of Aurora • 175 Years

35. Elevated Train c.
1922
City of Aurora • 175 Years

36. Aurora Factoid
Aurora has examples of
some of the greatest
architects, including:
• Frank Lloyd Wright,
• Ludwig Mies van der Rohe,
• Bruce Goff, and
• George Grant Elmslie
City of Aurora • 175 Years

37. Broadway St.
c. 1926
City of Aurora • 175 Years

38. Aurora Hotel c.
1927
City of Aurora • 175 Years

39. Leland Hotel
c. 1927
City of Aurora • 175 Years

40. Expo Park
c. 1930
City of Aurora • 175 Years

41. Aurora Factoid
In 1856, the Roundhouse
was built. It was the largest
employer in the area until
the 1960s.
Today, Two Brothers operate
the oldest limestone
roundhouse in the United
States.
City of Aurora • 175 Years

42. Paramount
c. 1931
City of Aurora • 175 Years

43. Paramount
c. 1931
City of Aurora • 175 Years

44. Zephyr
c. 1934
City of Aurora • 175 Years

45. Old Second
c. 1938
City of Aurora • 175 Years

46. Aurora Factoid
Chartered in 1847 and
recognized by the State in
1851, East Aurora District
131 was the first free public
school district in Illinois.
City of Aurora • 175 Years

47. Galena Blvd
c. 1948
City of Aurora • 175 Years

48. Barber-Greene
c. 1949
City of Aurora • 175 Years

49. Stolp Island
c. 1950
City of Aurora • 175 Years

50. Downtown
c. 1950
City of Aurora • 175 Years

51. Aurora Factoid
In 1993, the Hollywood
Casino opened in downtown
Aurora.
The Paramount Theatre,
built 1931, was once one of
11 theaters in the City.
City of Aurora • 175 Years

52. Cotton Mills
c. 1955
City of Aurora • 175 Years

53. Downtown Aerial
c. 1955
City of Aurora • 175 Years

54. Roundhouse
c. 1955
City of Aurora • 175 Years

55. Broadway St.
c. 1960
City of Aurora • 175 Years

56. Aurora Factoid
Two sitting presidents have
visited Aurora.
In 1904, Theodore Roosevelt
visited.
In 2006, George W. Bush
visited the community.
City of Aurora • 175 Years

57. Pres. Kennedy
c. 1960
City of Aurora • 175 Years

58. Downtown
c. 1967
City of Aurora • 175 Years

59. City of Aurora • 175 Years

60. Burlington Sta
c. 1969
City of Aurora • 175 Years

61. Police Station
c. 1972
City of Aurora • 175 Years

62. Aurora Factoid
In 1975, the Fox Valley Mall
was built.
In 2004, the Chicago
Premium Outlets opened.
Today, the Aurora region
boasts more than $2.4
billion in retail sales.
City of Aurora • 175 Years

63. Roundhouse
c. 1981
City of Aurora • 175 Years

64. Aurora Factoid
The 2000-2003 U.S. Census
named Aurora the 34th
fastest growing in the
nation.
The 2000-2009 U.S. Census
names it 46th fastest
growing for cities over
100,000
City of Aurora • 175 Years

65. Tivoli Theater
City of Aurora • 175 Years

66. Aurora Factoid
The Tivoli Theatre, which
was opened in 1928, was
designed by Rapp & Rapp
who also designed the
Paramount. It was closed in
1981.
Today, the Chamber offices
and Casino parking garage
are on that site.
City of Aurora • 175 Years

67. City of Aurora • 175 Years

68. Thank you to the
Aurora Historical Society
for providing photos
for today’s program.
Visit them online at
www.AuroraHistory.net
City of Aurora • 175 Years