The Aurora Historical Society’s newest exhibit is now open. “Buttons, Banners, and Ballots: Political Memorabilia of the Past,” includes political buttons, signs, images, commemorative memorabilia, and more, from the 1860s to the 2000s. Items from both local and national elections are included. The exhibit, which will run through Saturday, Nov.
By Ricky Rieckert I’m sorry, but I left a few things, out of my article, last week. First off The Mug Tavern, was a great place to see live bands on the weekends. I saw quite a few. I saw the bands Off Broadway and Survivor. Jim Peterik, from Berwyn
September 26 For the first time in U.S. history, a debate between major party presidential candidates is shown on television. The presidential hopefuls, John F. Kennedy, a Democratic Party senator of Massachusetts, and Richard M. Nixon, the vice president of the United States, meet in a Chicago studio to discuss
By Ricky Rieckert This week, we’re starting from E. New York Street and Broadway, going South. About the third building, on the Westside was the Paradise Inn. One of the best Chinese restaurants in Aurora, owned by the Park family. Moving south, on the south westside of Galena Boulevard (Main
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Aurora Public Library District (APLD) is offering a unique opportunity to dive into the rich history of Aurora. Monday, Sept. 23, the Library will welcome historian and author Dr. Alejandro Benavides, to speak about his research in the program titled Olivia & the
Aurora police and fire departments were host to Aurora’s annual Sept. 11 memorial ceremony Wednesday, Sept. 11. Beginning at 7:30 a.m., Aurora’s public safety officials and City leaders were joined by community members at APD headquarters, 1200 E. Indian Trail. Marking the 23rd anniversary of the tragedies in New York,
By Ricky Rieckert Dear reader’s, It was brought to my attention that when I wrote about S. Lake Street, a couple of weeks ago, I forgot to include Hardee’s, which was between Gayle and Prairie Street’s, on S. Lake Street. They had a store on N. Farnsworth Avenue and Indian
September 12 Six months after the death of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, Nikita Khrushchev succeeds him with his election as first secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Khrushchev, in 1961, authorized construction of the Berlin Wall in East Germany. – 1960. Hurricane Gilbert slams into Jamaica. Approximately
By Ricky Rieckert Hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day. This week in Aurora, I’m going to touch base about the Blue Lantern Restaurant on E. New York Street. Some people wanted to know more about the restaurant. In the Summer of 1973, my brother, a year younger and I
September 5 Between 20,000 to 30,000 marchers participate in New York’s first Labor Day parade with the demand for an eight-hour work day. – 1882. In the early morning hours of September 5, six members of the Arab terrorist group known as Black September, dressed in the Olympic sweat suits
By Ricky Rieckert I hope everyone has a beautiful upcoming Labor Day weekend. This week in Aurora, we take off at Broadway and Illinois Avenue and go south. On the riverside, west of Illinois is Carl Stirn’s Boat Marina. It’s been around a long time. I purchased my first yacht
August 29 Atahuallpa, the 13th and last emperor of the Incas, dies by strangulation at the hands of Francisco Pizarro’s Spanish conquistadors. The execution of Atahuallpa, the last free reigning emperor, marked the end of 300 years of Inca civilization. – 1533. At a remote test site at Semipalatinsk in
By Ricky Rieckert This week, I will finish up with North Lake Street in Aurora. On the northwest corner of North Lake Street and Indian Trail, on the corner, was Ed Fanning Chevrolet car dealership. Set back, in a strip mall, was Gaylord’s Department Store. It then became a Jewel
August 22 The Geneva Convention of 1864 for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick of Armies in the Field is adopted by 12 nations meeting in Geneva. The agreement calls for non-partisan care to the sick and wounded in times of war and provided for the
By Ricky Rieckert This week, we start at Illinois Avenue and North Lake Street in Aurora. At the northeast corner was Golden Bear Restaurant. I remember going there at midnight, with a couple of friends on a Friday night. There was a waiting list, to be seated. One friend, gave
August 15 The American-built waterway across the Isthmus of Panama, to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, is inaugurated with the passage of the U.S. vessel Ancon, a cargo and passenger ship. – 1914. Emperor Hirohito broadcasts the news of Japan’s surrender to the Japanese people. In Japan’s Shinto religious
By Ricky Rieckert Welcome readers; This week, we continue on South Lake Street in Aurora, where Arnold Avenue runs East and Jericho Road runs West. A block away, on the west side of the street, I believe originally was a Gas Station. It then became a hot dog and sandwich
August 8 President Harry S Truman signs the United Nations Charter and the United States becomes the first nation to complete the ratification process and join the new international organization. – 1945. August 9 A second atom bomb is dropped on Japan by the United States, at Nagasaki, resulting finally
By Al Benson Dolores Theodore of Aurora, a Burlington Railroad queen in 1959, was in the spotlight again Sunday, July 28. Theodore was among 70 guests at an Aurora Historical Society (AHS) banquet saluting the Burlington Railroad’s 175th anniversary at Two Brothers Roundhouse in Aurora. After John Jaros, AHS executive
August 1 Four days after Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, two more great European powers, Russia and Germany, declare war on each other; the same day, France orders a general mobilization. The so-called Great War that ensued would be one of unprecedented destruction and loss of life, resulting in the
