You’re an old-timer in Aurora, dear reader, if you:
Knew the sites of the original City Hall and the original Post Office.
Rode the Aurora city buses.
Bought a hamburger at Prince Castle (two locations).
Patronized the Sylvandell bowling alley.
Drank an ice-cold root beer (with a half inch head on it) at the A & W drive-in.
Found a date at Dut’s Dugout.
Waited for a train at the depot on South Broadway.
Waited for a freight train to rumble down Middle Avenue.
Knew when the east-west streets downtown had two names.
Sneaked a peek at the latest issue of an adult magazine at John’s Smoke Shop.
Bought a ticket at the Terminal Building to ride an electric train up to Elgin and back.
Waited for that train on the platform behind the Aurora Well Works.
Shopped at the original Carson Pirie Scott department store, or had lunch there.
Watched a movie at the Hi-Light 30 outdoor theater.
Attended West Aurora Junior High School.
Placed a bet at the Aurora Downs race track.
Knew when the track burned down.
Crossed the rickety old bridges on Wood Street and Ohio Street.
Remembered when Stolp Avenue intersected with New York Street, and there were traffic signals!
Were a visitor, or a patient at the old Copley Hospital.
Remembered there was a multi-plex theater at the Fox Valley Mall (Plith Fox Valley Cinema).
Knew there was a parking lot (and the old Armory) where the Hollywood Casino parking garage is now.
Shopped at the IGA grocery store (two locations).
Sat through a football game between East Aurora High School and West Aurora High School on Hurd’s Island on Thanksgiving Day.
Knew the site of Skylark Theater.
Passed by the Naval Reserve Center near Phillips Park.
Banked at either the Merchants National Bank or the Aurora National Bank.
Had a meal at either the Broadway Restaurant or the Stallion Restaurant.
Knew the site of Love Brothers foundry.
Attended Aurora College.
Patronized the Chinese laundry on South River Street.
Knew the site of the Metzger’s Motel.
Remembered the original Robinson’s Auto Supply site.
Bought a pair of Levi’s at Bender’s clothing store.
Knew the site of old City incinerator.
Ate a burger at Big Boy’s (the best burgers in town!).
Bought your first automobile at Fanning Chevrolet.
Remembered the site of Rexall Drug Store.
Mailed a package at the Railway Express Agency.
Filled up your auto’s gasoline tank at the Hicksatomic station.
Shopped at the Kroger grocery store at Main Street and LaSalle Street.
Remembered that there was a one-room school house at the intersection of Route 65 and Eola Road.
Knew the site of the Young Men’s Hebrew Association.
Cruised around the Parkview ice-skating rink.
Bought a bagful at Reuland’s Nut House.
Participated in a Chinese fire drill on North Lake Street.
To be continued….