National Register of Historic Places listings in Kane County, Illinois facts for kids

Location of Kane County in Illinois

Welcome to a special list of amazing historical places in Kane County, Illinois! These places are so important that they are officially recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. Think of it like a Hall of Fame for buildings, areas, and other cool spots that tell us about the past.

There are 79 properties and special areas in Kane County that are on this list. Some of them even have their exact location marked on a map, so you can see where they are!

Discovering Kane County's Historic Gems

Kane County is full of interesting places that have been around for a long time. These spots are protected because they help us understand the history of the area and the people who lived here. Let's explore some of these cool historic sites!

Aurora's Historic Highlights

Aurora College Complex, once a school, now a historic site.

• Aurora College Complex: Imagine going to school in buildings that are now historic landmarks! Eckhart, Davis, and Wilkinson Halls were the very first buildings of Aurora College. This school moved to Aurora from Mendota and was connected to the Advent Christian Church for many years. Eckhart Hall was the main building, and the others were dorms where students lived.

• Aurora Elks Lodge No. 705: This building on S. Stolp Avenue in Aurora is another important historic spot.

• Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy Roundhouse and Locomotive Shop: This isn't just any old building; it's known as America's Historical Roundhouse! Built in 1856, this roundhouse was a huge workplace in Aurora for almost 120 years. It was where trains were repaired and stored. After being empty for 21 years, a famous football player, Walter Payton, helped turn it into a fun entertainment center. It's the oldest limestone roundhouse still standing in the whole United States!

• Col. Ira C. Copley Mansion: This grand house belonged to Colonel Ira C. Copley, an important person in Aurora's history.

• Fox River House: Located on W. Galena, this building is a historic part of Aurora's past.

• GAR Memorial Building: The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) was a group for soldiers who fought in the Civil War. This building was their memorial hall.

• Graham Building: Another historic building on S. Stolp Avenue in Aurora.

• Healy Chapel: This chapel on W. Downer Place is a significant part of Aurora's history.

• Hotel Arthur: Once a bustling hotel, this building on N. Broadway is now a historic landmark.

• Hotel Aurora: Located on N. Stolp Avenue, this old hotel also holds a place in history.

• Keystone Building: This building on S. Stolp Avenue is recognized for its historical importance.

• LaSalle Street Auto Row Historic District: This area includes several buildings on LaSalle Street that were once home to car dealerships and auto-related businesses. It shows how important cars became in the early 1900s.

• Masonic Temple: This building was home to the Masons, a fraternal organization.

• Middle Avenue Historic District: This historic area includes several streets and buildings, showing what a neighborhood looked like long ago.

• Old Second National Bank: This bank building on S. River Street is a historic landmark in Aurora.

• Paramount Theatre: This beautiful theater on E. Galena Boulevard is a true gem. It's a place where people gathered for entertainment for many years.

• St. Charles Hospital: This hospital building on E. New York Street has a long history of serving the community.

• Stolp Island Historic District: Stolp Island is a unique area in Aurora, and this historic district includes many important buildings on the island.

• Stolp Woolen Mill Store: This store on W. Downer Place was once part of a woolen mill, where wool was processed into fabric.

• William A. Tanner House: This house on Oak Avenue is another historic home in Aurora.

• West Side Historic District: This large historic area on Aurora's west side includes many old homes and buildings, giving us a peek into the past.

Batavia's Enduring Landmarks

The Campana Factory, a unique example of Streamline Moderne design.

• Batavia Institute: This building on S. Jefferson Street in Batavia has a rich history.

• Campana Factory: Built in 1936, this factory was state-of-the-art for its time! It was used by The Campana Company, which made cosmetics. The factory is a great example of the "Streamline Moderne" style, which was popular in the 1930s. It even had cool new features like air conditioning and a special assembly line.

• Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad Depot: This train station, built in 1854, was the very first one for the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad. It's built in the "Gothic Revival" style, which looks a bit like old castles or churches. Today, it's a museum!

• First Methodist Church of Batavia: This church on 1st Street is a historic religious building.

• Holy Cross Church: Another historic church in Batavia, located on N. Van Buren Street.

• Louise White School: This school on Washington Avenue has been an important part of Batavia's education history.

• Mrs. A. W. Gridley House: This house on N. Batavia Avenue is a historic residence.

• United Methodist Church of Batavia: This church on N. Batavia Avenue is also a recognized historic site.

• Judge Isaac Wilson House: This house on E. Wilson Street belonged to Judge Isaac Wilson, an important figure in Batavia's past.

St. Charles's Historical Treasures

The Arcada Theater Building, a historic entertainment venue.

• Arcada Theater Building: This theater on E. Main Street is a historic place where people have enjoyed shows and movies for many years.

• William Beith House: This house on Indiana Street is a historic home in St. Charles.

• City Building: The City Building on N. Riverside Avenue has served as an important center for St. Charles's government.

• Durant House: Located northwest of St. Charles, this house is a historic landmark.

• Hotel Baker: This beautiful hotel on W. Main Street has been a famous landmark in St. Charles for a long time.

• Joel H. Hulburd House: This house on N. 2nd Avenue is another historic home in St. Charles.

• Hunt House: Located on Cedar Avenue, this house is also recognized for its historical value.

• St. Charles Municipal Building: This building on E. Main Street is where the city's government operates and is a historic structure.

• Andrew Weisel House: This house on N. 2nd Avenue is another historic home in St. Charles.

Geneva's Notable Places

A building within the Central Geneva Historic District.

• Central Geneva Historic District: This large historic area includes many buildings around the Fox River and nearby streets, showing the early development of Geneva.

• Elizabeth Place: This historic place on Elizabeth Place in Geneva is recognized for its importance.

• Fabyan Villa: Located on S. Batavia Avenue, this villa is a historic building in Geneva.

• Geneva Country Day School: This school on South Street is a historic educational institution.

• North Geneva Historic District: Similar to the Central Geneva district, this area includes many historic buildings north of Geneva's main downtown.

• Pure Oil Station: This old gas station on W. State Street is a cool example of early 20th-century architecture and car culture.

• Riverbank Laboratories: These laboratories on Batavia Avenue are a historic site known for their scientific research.

Elgin's Historical Sites

Old Main at Elgin Academy, a historic school building.

• Elgin Academy: This school on Park Street has a long and interesting history in Elgin.

• Elgin Downtown Commercial District: This area includes many historic businesses and buildings in the heart of Elgin.

• Elgin Historic District: This larger historic area includes many homes and buildings, showing how Elgin grew over time.

• Elgin National Watch Company Observatory: This observatory on Watch Street was used by the Elgin National Watch Company, a famous watchmaker, to keep very accurate time for their watches.

• Elgin Tower Building: This tall building on E. Chicago Street is a prominent historic landmark in Elgin.

• Fire Barn 5: This old fire station on St. Charles Road is a historic building that once housed Elgin's fire engines.

• First Universalist Church: This church on Villa Street is a historic religious building.

• Gifford–Davidson House: This house on Prairie Street is a historic home in Elgin.

• Memorial Washington Reformed Presbyterian Church: This church west of Elgin is a historic religious site.

• Ora Pelton House: This house on S. State Street is another historic home in Elgin.

• Spring–Douglas Historic District: This historic area includes streets and buildings around Spring Street and Douglas Avenue.

• Teeple Barn: This barn northwest of Elgin was a historic landmark, but sadly it was destroyed in a storm in 2007.

• Wing Park Golf Course: This golf course on Wing Street is a historic recreational area.

Other Interesting Places in Kane County

• Campton Town Hall: Located west of Wasco, this town hall is a historic building for the Campton Hills area.

• Country Tea Room: This historic restaurant in Dundee Township was once a popular tearoom, especially after Max McGraw, who helped bring the Toastmaster appliance to homes, bought it. It later became a full restaurant.

• Dundee Township Historic District: This large historic area includes parts of East Dundee, West Dundee, and Carpentersville, showing the history of these towns along the Fox River.

• Dutch Mill (Fabyan Windmill): This unique windmill north of Batavia is a historic landmark.

• Ephraim Smith House: This historic house is located northeast of Sugar Grove.

• Gray–Watkins Mill: This old mill on N. River Street in Montgomery is a historic industrial site.

• Library Hall: Located in Carpentersville, this building on N. Washington Street is a historic library hall.

• Oaklawn Farm: This historic farm in Wayne, located at Army Trail and Dunham Roads, is a recognized landmark.

• Potter and Barker Grain Elevator: This grain elevator in La Fox is a historic structure related to farming and agriculture.

• Robert and Elizabeth Muirhead House: This house in Plato Center is a historic home.

• Sam and Ruth Van Sickle Ford House: This house on S. Edgelawn Drive in Aurora is a historic home.

• St. Mary's Church of Gilberts: This church on Mattesen Street in Gilberts is a historic religious building.

• Stearns–Wadsworth House: This house in Blackberry Township is a historic home.

Past Historic Listings

Sometimes, a place that was once on the National Register of Historic Places might be removed from the list. This can happen if the building is changed too much, or if it's unfortunately torn down. Here are a few places in Kane County that were once on the list but are no longer:

• Aurora Watch Factory: This factory in Aurora was once a historic site, but it was removed from the list in 1995.

• Elgin Milk Condensing Co./Illinois Condensing Co.: This old factory in Elgin was removed from the list in 2003 because it was torn down in 1998.

• Old Hotel (Sugar Grove, Illinois): This hotel in Sugar Grove was delisted in 2002.