In February, I wrote in The Voice on celebrating five milestones that honor Aurora’s history and its forward momentum. The milestones highlight the growth, legacy, and community that help our City to thrive.
Aurora embodies those three words in spirit, but there’s a story that brings them to life.
That story, shown in one of the colorful banners that artist Carolina Martinez created for Aurora Downtown, continues through the descendants of brothers, Agustiń and Senobio Nila.
Many of Aurora’s early Mexican immigrants, such as the Nila family, who came to the US in 1923, worked for the Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy Railroad (CB & Q) and were employed at the West Eola Reclamation Plant (Eola Scrap Yard).
In 1923, at the behest of Agustiń, the railroad agreed to provide housing near the plant in the form of old railroad boxcars which had been taken off their wheel carriages. The Eola Boxcar Camp (known as “El Camp” to residents) became a thriving community of families in 20 cars. It even featured its church, which the residents built themselves.
With the Great Depression of the 1930s, the railroad work force was greatly reduced, and the boxcar camp was dismantled in 1934, however the immigrant families continued to reside in Aurora, and they helped shape the City. Nila family descendants among them.
I recently met with Agustiń’s grandchildren, Delia “Dee” Basile and Michael Nila, to present them with one of the street banners. Both remain residents of Aurora, and both are deeply involved in their community. Basile is retired from the City of Aurora government, helping to build up the farmers market during her tenure; Michael Nila is a retired Aurora police officer, and founded Blue Courage, a training and leadership company.
Basile continues to inspire me with her effervescence and community involvement.
Basile remarked how it was wonderful to see the Boxcar Camp depicted in full color because they have only seen black and white photographs.
The street banners are up along River Street, Stolp Avenue, and LaSalle Street, in downtown Aurora. I encourage you to look up when you’re downtown, and notice the milestones that keep our city moving forward.
Here’s a list of upcoming, local events that I’m excited for their arrival;:
- July 28 Summer Jam at 7 p.m. at The Venue, 21 S. Broadway, Aurora.
- July 29 Birthday Bash from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Wyckwood House, 80 S. River Street, Aurora.
- July 29 & 30 Geneva Arts Fair from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Third Street, Geneva.
- August 4 Laura Lynne Art Studio Open House from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 440 W. Galena Boulevard., Aurora.
Marissa Amoni is the owner of Marissa Bright, a public relations and event management company specializing in shining the light on nonprofits and small businesses. Follow her on Instagram
@marissashinesbright.