Tag: Ricky Rieckert

Aurora’s former Fox Street; Aurora icon, John Galles

By Ricky Rieckert Hello everyone. I’m back to recount Aurora’s history, continuing from Fox Street, E. Downer, from Lincoln Avenue and heading towards downtown Aurora. On the southeast corner of Fox Street and Lasalle Street was the original Y.M.C.A.. It ended up being a drive-up for Merchants Bank. The “Y”...

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Main Hatters in Aurora owned by the Andrews family

By Ricky Rieckert This week in Aurora’s past, I’m going to write about the Main Hatters Store. But first, thanks to the subscribers and/or readers, and The Voice, for two more fan letters. Last week, we were discussing the Hammond family on Liberty Street. This week will be Main Hatters,...

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Fan mail reveals connection on Liberty Street in Aurora

By Ricky Rieckert As we enter a new week, I hope everyone enjoyed Thanksgiving Day, and any extra, time with family and friends. Last week when writing about The First Presbyterian Church, we had a small glitch: It was organized in 1858, not 1958. On the First United Methodist Church,...

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Historical trip down former Fox Street, now E. Downer

By Ricky Rieckert I want to wish all subscribers, readers, and all, a happy Thanksgiving Day, with your families and loved ones. I was unable to write for a few weeks because I have been in the hospital with foot injuries. I’ll be out soon, hopefully. Back to Aurora’s history,...

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Aurora’s Michels family: Lumber, oil, mayor

By Ricky Rieckert Dear readers, subscribers, all. This week, I’m going to write about, first, something a reader suggested. Betty sent me a compliment about my articles and that she likes reading them. She said it brings back memories. This letter was forwarded to me from The Voice. Upon reading,...

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Thankful for letter; back down Galena Boulevard

By Ricky Rieckert I’m proud to say that I received my first compliment letter from a woman reader/subscriber. Thanks to The Voice for forwarding it to me. It was really touching. This week, I’m going to finish-up with E. Galena Boulevard (Main Street) in Aurora. Starting at Root Street and...

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Look back in Aurora: Down W. Galena Boulevard

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....

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An historical trip down Aurora’s West Galena Boulevard

By Ricky Rieckert This week, I’m going to start on W. Galena Boulevard, heading east, from Constitution Drive. On the Northside, right off Galena Boulevard, was a department store called Zayre’s. It was open for a long time. However, due to theft and it becoming trashed, it was closed. Walmart...

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Aurora remembered: Bread Box grocery store

By Ricky Rieckert This week, I’m starting on N. Farnsworth and E. New York Street moving north. At the southwest corner, of Liberty Street was a small grocery store called the Bread Box. Don, who was Greek, I believe, owned it for many years, since I was a little boy....

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Jim Peterik played in Aurora, prices aren’t like they were

By Ricky Rieckert I’m sorry, but I left a few things, out of my article, last week. First off The Mug Tavern, was a great place to see live bands on the weekends. I saw quite a few. I saw the bands Off Broadway and Survivor. Jim Peterik, from Berwyn...

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More memories of businesses in Aurora

By Ricky Rieckert This week, we’re starting from E. New York Street and Broadway, going South. About the third building, on the Westside was the Paradise Inn. One of the best Chinese restaurants in Aurora, owned by the Park family. Moving south, on the south westside of Galena Boulevard (Main...

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Greek owned restaurants, Whoppers of the past

By Ricky Rieckert Dear reader’s, It was brought to my attention that when I wrote about S. Lake Street, a couple of weeks ago, I forgot to include Hardee’s, which was between Gayle and Prairie Street’s, on S. Lake Street. They had a store on N. Farnsworth Avenue and Indian...

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Employment at the Blue Lantern Restaurant in Aurora, 1973

By Ricky Rieckert Hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day. This week in Aurora, I’m going to touch base about the Blue Lantern Restaurant on E. New York Street. Some people wanted to know more about the restaurant. In the Summer of 1973, my brother, a year younger and I...

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Aurora’s past: Roundhouse, railroad on the road

By Ricky Rieckert I hope everyone has a beautiful upcoming Labor Day weekend. This week in Aurora, we take off at Broadway and Illinois Avenue and go south. On the riverside, west of Illinois is Carl Stirn’s Boat Marina. It’s been around a long time. I purchased my first yacht...

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Finish North Lake Street; start North Broadway

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...

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Aurora Lake Street: Golden Bear to Italian U-Boat

By Ricky Rieckert This week, we start at Illinois Avenue and North Lake Street in Aurora. At the northeast corner was Golden Bear Restaurant. I remember going there at midnight, with a couple of friends on a Friday night. There was a waiting list, to be seated. One friend, gave...

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Memories: Many good restaurants in Aurora

By Ricky Rieckert Welcome readers; This week, we continue on South Lake Street in Aurora, where Arnold Avenue runs East and Jericho Road runs West. A block away, on the west side of the street, I believe originally was a Gas Station. It then became a hot dog and sandwich...

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Prince Castle burgers and shakes in Aurora

By Ricky Rieckert Last week we made it to Lake Street in Aurora in the recapture of businesses in Aurora in past years. Just one-half block from Lake Street, on West New York Street, on the south side, was another Prince Castle restaurant with burger and one-in-a million shakes. South...

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Memories in Aurora: Rivoli, glass company

By Ricky Rieckert Hi everyone. I left off at Lincoln Avenue and East New York Street, last week in the recapture of Aurora businesses in years past. I know a woman who used to live in the brick three-story apartment building, on the southeast corner. When they were kids, she...

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Sandwiches prevailed in Aurora many years ago

By Ricky Rieckert Last week, we were still on East New York Street coming up to Lincoln Avenue in the recapture of Aurora business in years past. On the northeast corner, in the Hill, was Don Walker’s Sandwich Center. It was built into the Hill. During the Winter, the large...

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