Aerial views of Aurora from 1867 to 2013 are the subject of a new exhibit by the Aurora Historical Society which opened in the first floor gallery at the Pierce Art and History Center January 19 and will run to February 23. Left is from 1882 downtown and right is from 1949. Drawn from the archives of the society, the images include views of downtown, the center city, the Burlington Railroad shops, select factory complexes and neighborhoods.
The oldest views are the so-called birdseye maps, created in the 1860s and 1880s. Not photographs, these were drawn by artists who literally walked the streets of the town, sketching as they went, and then, back in their studios, added the sketches to a map outline. The earlier photographs in the exhibit were taken from high buildings such as the Leland Hotel, while later pictures were taken from airplanes and, most recently, drones. Images like this were commissioned for commercial purposes by the city or city departments, and business owners.
Exhibit hours are Wednesdays-Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m.. The David L. Pierce Center is at 20 E. Downer, 60505. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. There is more information at www.aurorahistory.net or on Facebook at aurorahistory.
— Aurora Historical Society
