By Ricky Rieckert
This week, I’m going to start on W. Galena Boulevard, heading east, from Constitution Drive.
On the Northside, right off Galena Boulevard, was a department store called Zayre’s.
It was open for a long time.
However, due to theft and it becoming trashed, it was closed.
Walmart had additions added to the building and opened up to serve the community for several years, until they decided to close.
In the far north end of the plaza, was a McDonald’s, by itself, and another building that had a Pizza Hut and Buchner’s West bakery.
Out in front of that, a little south, was the West Aurora Cinemas. Great place to see a movie.
To the east, in a strip mall, next to Colonial Catering, was a restaurant, called Art and Fran’s Circle “E”.
They served burgers and steaks.
Upon entering, you would see a large menu hanging up.
You would then tell John, the cook, what number you wanted, and how you wanted it cooked.
The No. 4, a half pound cheeseburger, was a favorite of many, including me.
They had everything up to a T-bone steak.
You would then grab a tray, just like a cafeteria, and grab a salad, dessert, and drink and head to the check-out to pay.
You would find a table to sit at, and they would bring out your main course when it was ready.
Art and Fran would greet all the customers and refill coffee. What a hometown feeling.
Heading east to LeGrande Boulevard and Galena Boulevard, on the Northside is the newer West High School.
Heading east to Elmwood Drive, on the northwest corner was Elmwood Nursing Home. Now called Highlight Healthcare of Aurora.
However, before I was born, it was a boy’s home.
My grandmother had divorced and couldn’t manage all four kids and work.
So she kept my aunt, the oldest, and my uncle Dale, the youngest.
My uncle Bud (Ernest) and my dad were put in the home.
They were seven and eight years old.
On Christmas Eve night, they both escaped. They ended up getting caught and brought back.
But can you blame them, for trying to be with family, on a Holiday?
I never knew about this, until my father’s funeral, when my uncle told the story.
Moving east to Blackhawk Street, on the northwest side was the original West High School.
It later became an elementary school and then the building was torn down. Now it is Blackhawk Park.
Have a nice week and enjoy the fall weather.