Aurora Downtown Architecture

Aurora Regional Fire Museum

 

Restored in 2000-2003 the Aurora Regional Fire Museum now displays a newly-replaced detailed cornice, onion dome with finial, and oriel windows.

The Paramount Theatre

 

Constructed in 1931 by Kaiser and Ducett, the Paramount Theatre was built as a movie palace and served as a model for theatres around the world.

62-64 S. LaSalle St.

 

The Odd Fellows Hall was built in the early 20th Century as a fraternal gathering place. The Odd Fellows met there for over 70 years.

1 S. Broadway - German American Building

 

This building was originally built in 1868 and underwent significant renovations in 1875 and 1922. It has been used as a bank, a Walgreens Drug Store, and housed a pool hall on the second floor. The original bank name "The German-American Bank" dropped "German" from its name during the World War I era due to the anti-German sentiment in America.

New York St. Bridge - General Pershing Memorial Bridge

 

New York St. Bridge - General Pershing Memorial Bridge
This bridge was named in memory of General John J. Pershing. Nicknamed "Black Jack", Pershing led African American forces and was deeply concerned about their well-being. Pershing was in Wounded Knee, served as a military attaché to Japan, was an observer during the Russo-Japanese War and oversaw Fort McKinley in the Philippines. In 1931 he published his Pulitzer Prize winning memoirs, My Experience in the World War

25 Middle Ave - Old Second National Bank

 

The building features decorative terra cotta on the west side of the structure. Terra cotta is a decorative element used to adorn Art Deco style buildings.

77 S. Stolp - Elks Club Building

 

This building reflects Mayan Revival architecture. Interior features include light fixtures, a fireplace, and wall décor - all which incorporate Mayan mythology.

2-4 N. River - The Hobbs Building

 

The life of this building has included a furniture store and an undertaking establishment. In 1901, it was the scene of a famous stunt in which an aerialist dove off the onion dome into a tub placed strategically on River Street to catch him.

7-15 W. Downer - The Sherer Building

 

This white glazed brick building shares the street with its sister across the street, the Metropolitan Business College. An arched tunnel runs under Downer Place connecting the two buildings.

28 N. Broadway

 

These decorative hoods over three second story windows with limestone sills are enhanced by an ornate entablature with a bracketed cornice.