Aurora, Illinois | 30 Things You Should Know!
1. Aurora, Illinois, is the second most populous city in the state, with about 179,000 residents.
2. Aurora is also known as “The City of Lights,” as it was one of the first in the United States to implement an all-electric street lighting system.
3. Famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed buildings in Aurora, including the William B. Greene House and the Anna P. Sexton House.
4. Aurora’s Tanner House was built in 1857. It’s one of the oldest homes and serves as a window into Aurora’s past.
5. Aurora is home to the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, a residential public school for grades 10-12.
6. Aurora houses the oldest continuously active airport in Illinois, the Aurora Municipal Airport.
7. The fictional DC Comics character Dick Grayson, also known as Nightwing, hails from a city named Blüdhaven which is based on Aurora.
8. Ever heard of Chicago Premium Outlets? This huge outlet mall is located in Aurora, featuring over 140 brand-name and designer outlet stores.
9. Fox River, flowing through the city, offers a gorgeous setting and recreational activities such as boating, fishing, and scenic riverside walks.
10. Paramount Theatre, a large live performance venue in Aurora, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
11. The annual Aurora Puerto Rican Heritage Festival is a vibrant cultural event that celebrates the city’s diverse community.
12. Do you love nature? Phillips Park Zoo is open year-round and is free to the public.
13. Aurora is home to more than 80 parks, providing ample opportunities for outdoor adventures.
14. The SciTech Hands-On Museum offers over 200 interactive STEM exhibits to foster curiosity and learning for children.
15. The Aurora Regional Fire Museum, is a fire station that was built in 1894.
16. Built in 1856, the Grand Army of the Republic Hall is one of the only remaining halls in Illinois dedicated to Civil War Union veterans.
17. Aurora has a minor league baseball team, the Kane County Cougars.
18. Love blues music? The annual Blues on the Fox Festival has been a staple in Aurora for over two decades.
19. Aurora is home to one of the state’s largest solar farms at 11.5 acres, featuring nearly 7,000 panels.
20. Aurora’s nickname, the “City of Lights,” isn’t its only one. It’s also known as the “City of Cemeteries,” due to its large number of cemeteries compared to other towns its size.
21. There’s an annual Food Truck Festival which features a variety of food trucks and live music, right in the heart of downtown Aurora.
22. Aurora University was founded in 1893 and has grown to a student population of more than 5,000 students.
23. For book lovers, the Santori Library is a modern architectural marvel featuring a digital media lab and a variety of community events.
24. The iconic Leland Tower, a 22-story building, was once the tallest building in Illinois outside of Chicago.
25. McCarty Park is named after Aurora’s founder, Samuel McCarty, and offers green space right in the city center.
26. Hesed House, located in Aurora, is the second-largest homeless shelter in Illinois.
27. Aurora had a bicycle company that operated from the 1890s to the 1930s. It was known as the Aurora Automatic Machinery Company.
28. The Aurora Silverplate Manufacturing Company, established in 1869, was one of the city’s prominent businesses, known for producing high-quality silverware.
29. Raging Waves, the largest waterpark in Illinois, is just a short drive from Aurora.
30. Built in 1857, the GAR Memorial Museum holds one of the largest collections of Civil War artifacts in Illinois.
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