Tag: Ricky Rieckert

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”...

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,...

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,...

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,...

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...

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....

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...

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....

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...

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...