Stolp Island facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Stolp Island Historic District
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district
View of Stolp Island buildings from Downer Place
Location in Illinois Show map of Illinois Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Aurora, Illinois
Area	0.03 square miles (0.1 km2)
NRHP reference No.	86001487
Added to NRHP	September 10, 1986

Stolp Island is a small island located in the Fox River in Aurora, Illinois. In 1986, this island and its 41 buildings became a special place called the Stolp Island Historic District because of their history. It's now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The island is about 0.03 square miles (0.1 km²) big.

Island History

Stolp Island is named after Joseph Stolp. He bought the island for just $12.72 in 1848! Joseph Stolp and his partners built a mill (a factory that grinds grain) on the island. The dam for the mill was finished in 1835. By 1848, the town of Aurora had grown to over 1,000 people.

As Aurora grew, the Fox River divided the city into two parts: East Aurora and West Aurora. This separation sometimes caused disagreements between the two sides. Stolp Island became the perfect spot for Aurora's government buildings because it wasn't clearly on either side of the river.

Old Post Office

Joining the City

East Aurora officially became a city in 1845, and West Aurora followed in 1854. The Aurora area got a big economic boost when the Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy Roundhouse and Locomotive Shop was built in 1856. Before this, businesses only served local needs. But the new train station brought many new customers.

In 1857, thanks to William Parker, the two cities decided to join and become one big city. The city leaders agreed to this plan only if a new city hall was built on Stolp Island. This new city hall was finished in 1865 and even had a post office on its first floor.

Public Buildings and Growth

Many public groups also saw Stolp Island as a great central location. The Grand Army of the Republic Hall opened in 1877. It was a meeting place for soldiers who fought in the Civil War. The island also became home to a Carnegie library (a public library built with money from Andrew Carnegie) and the first YMCA building in Aurora.

In the 1920s, the northern part of the island, which used to flood often, was made bigger and stronger using landfill (filling an area with earth or waste). Even though Aurora became a major steel producer in the early 1900s, Stolp Island was mostly used for businesses and public services.

In 1907, the Columbia Conservatory of Music was built on the island. It was a school where people could learn music, art, dancing, and even foreign languages.

Famous Buildings on the Island

Many important buildings were constructed on Stolp Island. The Hotel Aurora was built in 1917 and became the tallest building in Aurora at the time. This large building was designed in the Renaissance Revival style, which brought back ideas from the Renaissance period. People hoped it would make Stolp Island a major attraction.

Two office buildings were designed in the Prairie Style, which features strong horizontal lines and open spaces. These were the Keystone Building (1923) and the Graham Building (1926). The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks built their lodge, the Aurora Elks Lodge No. 705, in 1926. It has a unique Mayan Revival architecture style, inspired by ancient Mayan buildings.

A third big hotel, Leland Tower, was built in 1928. When it opened, Hotel Leland was the tallest building in Illinois outside of Chicago! The Rapp and Rapp Paramount Theatre opened in 1931. This grand movie palace showed films and hosted shows for many years.

Buildings to See on Stolp Island

Many interesting buildings and structures are located on Stolp Island. Here are some of them: