By Ricky Rieckert
Dear readers,
Hopefully everyone enjoyed the holidays with family while staying warm.
In my last article about John F. Kennedy’s (JFK) visit to Aurora in 1960, I wanted to add something of importance.
A fellow The Voice subscriber and lifelong friend of mine, Jim “Coach” Reiland, a retired teacher and coach at Marmion Academy, recently told me that the football given to JFK, by the Marmion players, on Lake Street in 1960, was returned to Marmion Academy about 18 years ago, and is permanently displayed in their trophy cabinet. A treasured keepsake with a lot of history, through the years.
First off, the football was given to JFK while he was campaigning for president of the United States. Secondly, he won the presidency in 1960 and was assassinated in 1963.
The football left Aurora in 1960, and came back to Aurora, to the New Marmion Academy on Butterfield Rd., with more history, than when it left. Thank you to the donor.
This week, I’m starting with some early history about the west side of Aurora.
The area was first platted in 1842 by Zaphna and Theodore Lake, two brothers originally from New York. They purchased the land from the government in 1835.
The first house constructed in the area, was the Lake Log Cabin, near Galena and Lake Street, (demolished many years ago).
In 1854, the area became the town of West Aurora, and in 1857 merged with the East side to become the City of Aurora.
Most of the structures in the district were built in the years of 1850 and 1920. Pioneers came first to settle, then those who prospered, later moved to the Downer Place area from other neighborhoods.
Constructed in the Italianate style, a brick home was built by Theodore Lake in 1867, at 563 W. Downer Place. The house has a coursed limestone foundation and limestone window hoods. The low-pitched gable roof is adorned with dentils and pairs of elaborately carved brackets.
At 536 W. Downer Place, is the Russell A. Colby House, built in 1910. This unaltered brick home is an excellent example of the Neoclassical style. The two-story portico, with balustrade above, and the pedimented dormers are characteristics of this style.
Lastly, a quote from “The Godfather’s” Robert DeNiro: “When things are going well, don’t think you are on top of the world. Be calm.
Have a great week!