By Ricky Rieckert
Dear subscribers and readers,
I hope everyone had a merry Christmas.
In last week’s article on Aurora’s Aurora’s historical Fox Street (now E. Downer Place), I forgot to mention about the Stallion Restaurant, 35 S. Broadway, on the northwest corner of E. Downer Place, and Broadway.
Today, it is called Tecalitlan Restaurant, a great place for authentic, Mexican food and drinks.
I’ve known the owner Rafael Valencia for almost 50 years. He and his wife, Maria, started out on S. Broadway, north of Benton Street. The third or fourth business north in the tapered building, due to the train viaduct. Their daughter’s Lupe and Guillermina worked at that location.
Now of them, along with their youngest, Marisol, all work at the E. Downer location.
Their son used to cook in the kitchen, until he opened up his own restaurant in Rochelle.
As we approach Water Street, off of E. Downer Place, just a reminder that Water Street was a traveled street with car’s, from E. New York Street, south, to Clark Street.
I know, because I drove in a cab, with my grandmother, when I was kid, after a snowstorm, from the streets, I named above.
Just west of Water Street, on the Northside, was the gas company building.
Today, it’s City Hall, with entrances on both E. Downer and Water Street.
Across the street, on the south side, of Downer, was a building at the street, on the corner, belonging to the City. The City, had several permit buildings running towards Benton Street. All of that was torn down.
Today, it’s a parking lot, from E. Downer to Benton Street, and Water Street to the Fox River. That large city parking lot, is that location of the Aurora Farmers Market.
I think back a lot, about the way things were back then, yesteryears.
I have been told it’s a sign of getting old, when you bring up the past.
So what! That’s what memories are all about.
See you next week.
Be safe ringing in 2025.
Happy New Year!