The awards jury found this Fox Valley community to have one of the “most
diverse” preservation programs in Illinois. Its landmarks ordinance dates
to the mid-1980s and its early successes included the adaptive use of an
1855 -66 stone railroad roundhouse that had been slated for demolition. In
recent years, the City has sponsored a wide range of innovative projects,
including: interpretive
signage for significant buildings, a cell phone walking tour of downtown
landmarks, a set of
architectural trading cards
aimed at school groups, a website featuring downloadable brochures, and an
architectural survey and trolley tours of the city’s vast collection of
Sears-designed houses. (Preservation Snapshots lecture: Building Aurora:
Sears Houses)
The City also restored a rare 1924 shelter along the Lincoln
Highway (U.S. 30), a set of Art Moderne-style sculptures on a downtown
bridge, and played a key role in the $1.5 million conversion of the former
Central Fire Station (built in 1894) into a Regional Fire Museum.
“Everything they do is outstanding,” the jury noted.
Landmarks Illinois
Suite 1315
53 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604
tel. 312-922-1742
fax 312-922-8112
