By Ricky Rieckert
This week in Aurora’s past, I am continuing on West Galena Boulevard (Main Street), from Blackhawk Street on the west side heading East towards Downtown Aurora.
Down at Locust and W. Galena, there were gas stations on three corners, except the northeast where there was a church.
The northwest corner was Purple Martin. They had 97% golden ethyl gasoline. I would buy it for my 1968 Olds Cutlass, and burn rubber. I couldn’t do it with regular. It was damn there airplane fuel.
On the southwest corner there was a gas station, which is now where McDonald’s resides.
The southeast corner there is still a gas station/mini-mart.
Moving down to Stolp Avenue and W. Galena, on the northwest corner is Chessman’s Bar.
I was told that the band; Ted Nugent and the Amboy Dukes, played there, along with REO Speed Wagon, in the 1960s.
Crossing Stolp Avenue, on the north side of East Galena, was the Stardust Ballroom with a bowling alley and the Tivoli Theatre next door.
Across the street on the southeast corner of Stolp Avenue and East Galena, was Lytton’s Department Store.
The original Paramount Theatre was east of there, on the south side.
The building west of there was the Corn Crib, maybe Korn Krib.
What a great place for any flavor of popcorn to take to any of the three theaters. My favorite was the hot caramel corn.
Moving east up to Lincoln Avenue and E. Galena, on the northeast corner was the K of C building, originally the McCarty Mansion, and today, the Warehouse Church.
Across the street, on the southeast corner was Jeff’s Standard, owned by Jeff Crockett.
East of that, was Prince Castle’s, “One in a million Shake’s.”
Hamburgers were 19 cents, cheeseburgers 29 cents and I believe 10 cents more for a double, when I was a kid.
Across the Street from the K of C building, east, is McCarty Park.
Jimmy’s Hot Dog’s would park his yellow truck on E. Galena Boulevard and sell hot dogs.
They were five for one dollar when I was a kid. The coney sauce and onions made these hot dogs terrific.
Moving on across the park, has been grocery stores, National Tea, and now a Mexican grocery store.
But my Dad said in the 1950s, there were two east side schools there, East Aurora High School before the Jackson Street. Location, which now is K.D. Waldo Middle School.
The other was Center School, which was a Junior High School. May have been an Elementary School, too.
Moving east to Root Street and E. Galena Boulevard, southeast corner, was The American Legion.
Dut Kleinfeldt and his son’s ran it until it closed up in the 1980s.
Have a great Fall week.
See you next week.