By Ricky Rieckert Dear faithful subscribers, readers, and all. This week, the Aurora History Tour Bus, is at the northwest corner of Benton Street and Stolp Avenue, (originally known as Island Avenue). This building, was home to the Aurora Elks Club. It was a beautiful two-story brick building. When I
By Woodrow Carroll There are a number of high schools around the country that as soon as you mention the school’s name there is almost instant recognition. And, very often the recognition is based on the school’s athletic achievements. With that in mind let’s hone in on McClymonds High School
February 27 A group of masked and costumed students dance through the streets of New Orleans, La. to mark the beginning of the city’s famous Mardi Gras celebrations. – 1827. The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which provides for female suffrage, is unanimously declared constitutional by the eight members
By Ricky Rieckert Dear subscribers, patrons and readers: Hope everyone had a special time, with their special someone, on Valentine’s Day. I didn’t let that opportunity slip away from me, this year, no way, no how. I went on a date with a blonde, female nurse with tattoos, who I
The City of Aurora’s Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) Military Museum, 23 East Downer Place, Aurora, will highlight the contributions, struggles, and lasting impact of African American service people in the 19th and 20th Century. The G.A.R. Museum is open Wednesday through Friday from noon to 7 p.m. and
The Aurora Public Library District wears many different hats for our community. For those interested in local history, it’s a living archive that ensures the stories, struggles, and achievements of the community are not forgotten. These stories are held in our Community History Center, on the second floor of the
When the private Lincoln Highway Association laid out the nation’s first improved coast-to-coast highway, its route from Plainfield to Aurora zigzagged through northeastern Kendall County’s Oswego Township on existing country roads. When plans to pave the highway in the 1920s were being made, Naperville made a strong case to run
February 13 Italian philosopher, astronomer, and mathematician, Galileo Galilei, arrives in Rome to face charges of heresy for advocating Copernican theory, which holds that the Earth revolves around the Sun. Galileo officially faced the Roman Inquisition in April of that same year and agreed to plead guilty in exchange for
Aurora University’s Schingoethe Center Museum opened “Away from Home: American Indian Boarding School Stories,” an exhibition to March 14, with a reception Tuesday, Jan. 28, including displays, flute music and reflections by a family member of survivors. The exhibition, in the Hill Welcome Center at 1315 Prairie Street in Aurora,
A former Civil War slave turned abolitionist and women’s rights advocate came alive in Batavia Tuesday, Feb 4. With words, period costume, and acapella gospel music, North Aurora resident Pam Welcome portrayed Sojourner Truth at the Aurora Area Retired Teachers Association membership luncheon at Lincoln Inn Banquets in Batavia. Welcome
By Ricky Rieckert Greetings one and all. Board the Aurora history tour bus, as we proceed on Benton Street. This week, heading west on E. Benton Street, the wrong way from Lincoln Avenue to Lasalle Street. On the southwest corner was, from what I know of, the Aurora Barber College.
February 6 After a long illness, King George VI of Great Britain and Northern Ireland dies in his sleep at the royal estate at Sandringham. Princess Elizabeth, the eldest of the king’s two daughters and next in line to succeed him, was in Kenya at the time of her father’s
By Ricky Rieckert Hello fellow The Voice followers. This week, we’re going to start at E. Benton Street, starting at S. Ohio Street. On the northwest corner is Beaupre School, on the Northside built in 1908, I believe, along with Bardwell School on S. Lincoln Avenue, at the same time.
Aurora University’s Schingoethe Center museum will exhibit “Away from Home: American Indian Boarding School Stories” Jan. 28-March 14. The event at the museum in the Hill Welcome Center, 1315 Prairie St. in Aurora, will display photos from a permanent exhibition at the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Ariz. “Away” explores off-reservation
January 30 During a funeral service in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol to honor the late U.S. representative Warren R. Davis of South Carolina, a man discharged two pistols in the direction of U.S. president Andrew Jackson. Both weapons misfired, and the shooter was promptly subdued and arrested.
By Ricky Rieckert Last week, I finished up at W. Downer and S. River Street in Aurora’s past. This week we’ll start there and head west. On the northwest corner of Downer and River is the Old Second National Bank. I believe it’s the oldest bank in Aurora. The bank
January 23 An earthquake in Shaanxi, China, kills an estimated 830,000 persons. Counting casualties is often imprecise after large-scale disasters, especially prior to the 20th Century, but this disaster is still considered the deadliest of all time. – 1556. Elizabeth Blackwell graduates with the highest grades in her class when
By Ricky Rieckert To start with this week in an historical look back at Aurora, I forgot to add the addresses of both Fox Theaters. The Original, on Fox Street, was 24-28 Fox Street (three units). The New Fox Theater on Main Street, was 54 E. Main Street. Just west
January 16 The 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which prohibited the “manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors for beverage purposes,” is ratified on this day in 1919 and becomes the law of the land. – 1919. Faced with an army mutiny and violent demonstrations against his rule, Mohammad
By Ricky Rieckert As we enter the New Year, I hope everyone had a great time with family and friends, over the holidays. I had some feedback on Fox Street (now E. Downer Place) from some friends. First off, directly across from the present City Hall, is the building that
