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 Food Store.
Now it’s Cermak grocery.
Moving north, on the west side of Lake Street Sullivan is Mercyville.
Many years ago it was the only facility on the west side between Lake Street and Highland Avenue and Sullivan to Indian Trail.
It was all corn fields. and there many pheasants. They were very intelligent. They knew hunters couldn’t hunt them, because the area was in Aurora city limits.
Moving north, on the northwest corner of Sullivan Road and Lake Street, was Ponderosa Steak House.
It was cafeteria style and a good place to eat for years.
It’s Thornton’s Gas Station now.
That’s it for North Lake Street (Route 31).
Now we’ll start on North Broadway (Route 25) and go south.
At Hankes Avenue, the northeast side, on the corner is a Phillips 66 gas station and service center. It’s been there for many years.
Just east of there was “Hap’s” North End Tap.
Butch Hansen Sr. owned it, along with Butch Jr., his son.
It closed and the facility is vacant.
Across the street and east a little was McKee Door, a garage door manufacturer.
Just a little south on Broadway, is “Dinky’s” DeKing’s Tavern.
Pete DeKing Sr. owned it.
Old timers told me, that Pete had a lot of pull with the City government, including the chief of police.
Rumor was that Pete could get a lot of things taken resolved. A half block south, was Buckley’s Grocery Store.
Jim Buckley’s grandfather started it.
They made the best, fresh garlic sausage.
Prohibition came along in the 1930s and stopped all liquor sales.
Except uncle Al Capone from Chicago.
Rumor has it, he ties with Aurora.
Pete DeKing decided to sell groceries from the bar during Prohibition.
When Prohibition ended, Jim’s grandfather got a liquor license before Pete DeKing, and sold package goods.
Guess, what comes around, goes around.
Heading south to Illinois Avenue, on three of the four corners were gas stations.
Today, is just BP Amoco on the southwest corner.
On the southeast corner is J & S Electric and Sign Company.
Have a great week.