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For two New York pioneers in the early 1830s, a bend in the Fox River (roughly 35 miles from Lake Michigan), would provide the ideal location for the saw and gristmill business they had always dreamed of having. It was this dream of brothers Joseph and Samuel McCarty that would lay the groundwork for what has become the second largest city in Illinois. Aurora, named for the Roman Goddess of Dawn, was originally two separate municipalities coexisting on the eastern and western banks of the Fox River. In 1857 the two communities were annexed to each other. Today, Aurora's population of 175,900+ spreads over four separate counties: Will, Kane, Kendall and DuPage (with most Aurora inhabitants residing in DuPage County).
Aurora became a manufacturing center early in its history. The Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad produced and repaired railcars in the town starting in 1856 and continued well into the 20th century. A steady influx of European and Mexican immigrants arrived in the area throughout this time and helped contribute to the industrialization of the city. Aurora's manufacturing companies prospered through much of the 1900s but the 1980s saw the closing of many of the city's factories. By investing in the downtown area, allowing riverboat gambling and introducing other development measures to revitalize economic growth, Aurora is experiencing a resurgence.
Being situated as it is so close to Chicago, yet far enough removed to maintain its own separate identity, many people find that Aurora offers the best of both worlds. With great schools, parkland, entertainment options and recreational activities readily available, Aurora has a lot to offer families and residents of all ages and interests. Much of the housing stock in Aurora consists of detached single-family homes but there are some townhouses and condos available in the area as well. On a whole, real estate in Aurora is very affordable and provides quality Illinois property.
There's plenty of recreational activities for families to enjoy in Aurora and much of it is located in Phillips Park. One of the biggest attractions of the park is the Phillips Park Zoo. Established in 1915, the zoo is one of the oldest in Illinois. Its four legged inhabitants maynot be as exotic as those found at the Brookfield or Lincoln Park zoos, but visitors young and old can view a host of animals indigenous to North and South America. Mastodon Peninsula in Phillips Park features a life-size sculpture of a mastodon (an extinct elephant-like mammal) inspired by the discovery of real mastodon remains at the site in 1934. The Mastodon Recreation West Area has sandvolleyball courts, horseshoe pits and a playground as well as a walking and jogging path along Mastodon Trail. There's also fishing in Mastodon Lake and an 18-hole golf course. This long list of outdoor fun is more than enough to accommodate Aurora locals during the lively summer months.
The park is great for sports, exercise and active pastimes whenever the mood strikes. But on special occasions, downtown Aurora is where youll find the real amusement at yearly community events and open air fairs, like the city's annual summer music festival. Originating in 1998, Downtown Alive is a city-sponsored festival held in downtown Aurora. For three months every summer on select weekend nights, the city hosts live music, food vendors, as well as rides and games for kids. For a bit of hot history, residents can visit the Aurora Regional Fire Museum, which has a collection of antique firefighting equipment on display. The non-profit museum educates citizens on the importance of fire safety and prevention and offers a glimpse of how early firemen put out blazes and what type of gear they used back in the day.
For nightlife in Aurora, the Paramount Theatre is a popular downtown destination for live entertainment and is a protected member on the National Register of Historic Places. For those gamblers out there, Hollywood Casino in Aurora is a 53,000-square-foot facility that features over 1,100 slot machines, in addition to blackjack, poker, craps and the usual suspects of table top casino games. The casino also has a steakhouse and features buffet dining.
Get a dash of local sports legend with some great food, tasty drink and live performances at Walter Payton's Roundhouse. Bears legend and Hall of Fame running back, Walter Payton, opened this restaurant and entertainment complex in the mid 90s. The establishment occupies an old roundhouse building, constructed in the mid nineteenth century to build and repair railcars for the Chicago Burlington and Quincy Railroad Company. The structure is the oldest limestone roundhouse in the United States. Roundhouse features both indoor and outdoor performance areas, serves food in America's Brewpub, and has a micro brewery and cognac bar. Walter Payton, "Sweetness" himself, passed on in 1999, but the Roundhouse remains a favorite Aurora mainstay for amusement and hearty American cuisine.
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