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 drive-up is west just past Middle Avenue and west to Lake Street.
Between the drive-up and lobby parking on W. Galena Boulevard, (Main Street), the only other building on the block, that doesn’t pertain to the Old Second, is the Galena Hotel.
On the southeast corner of W. Downer west to Middle Avenue and south on S. River Street were many taverns and businesses that were knocked down to make a large parking lot for the Old Second National Bank.
I was told about this many years ago that Lonnie’s Golden Steer had the longest bar, in Aurora.
Speaking of long bars: Moving west to S. Lake Street, at the southeast corner was a tavern called “The Spider Web”, or “The Web.” Now it’s called the Aurora Tap House.
Heading west up the hill to S. Locust Street and west, before S. Chestnut Street, on the south side, is The Healy Chapel Funeral and Cremation Services.
West of there, on the south side, of W. Downer Place between S. Chestnut and S. View Street is the old Copley Mansion.
I have been inside, and it’s huge and gorgeous.
West of S. View to Highland Avenue are some huge beautiful homes. Those beautiful homes go all the way to Edgelawn Drive, where W. Downer originally ended.
Today it runs west to Constitution Drive and in Cherry Hill Subdivision, west of south- bound Orchard Road to Raven Drive.
Hope everyone stays warm this week.
Here’s hoping Uncle Donny gets America back on its feet.
See you next week.