Timeline of Aurora, Colorado facts for kids

Aurora is a large city in Colorado, USA. It's a busy place with a rich history! This timeline will show you some of the most important moments in Aurora's past, from its early days as a small settlement to the big city it is today. You'll learn about how it grew, what important buildings were built, and who helped shape its future.

Aurora's Early Days: Before the 1900s

• 1890 – A new settlement was started and named "Fletcher."
• 1891
  • Fletcher officially became a town.
  • H.M. Miliken was chosen as the first mayor.
• 1892 – The town's schoolhouse unfortunately burned down.
• 1893 – A trolley line started running, connecting Fletcher to Denver.

Aurora in the 1900s: Growth and Change

• 1902 – Fletcher was split into two parts, joining different counties: Adams County and South Arapahoe County.
• 1906
  • The new Town Hall building was finished.
  • A local newspaper, the Democrat-News, began publishing.
• 1907
  • The town of Fletcher was renamed "Aurora."
  • The First Presbyterian Church was built.
• 1908 – Electricity became available in Aurora for the first time.
• 1918 – A large military hospital, US Army General Hospital No. 21, opened.
• 1924 – Colfax Avenue, a major road, became part of U.S. Route 40.
• 1925
  • The Aurora Woman's Club was formed.
  • The Hollywood cinema opened its doors.
• 1929
  • The Aurora Public Library was created.
  • Stapleton Aerodrome, an airport, started operating near Aurora.
• 1938 – The US military built the Lowry Technical Training Center.
• 1939 – Aurora's population reached 3,494 people.
• 1942 – The US military built Buckley Space Force Base.
• 1946
  • The Fox Theatre opened for business.
  • The City Planning Commission was set up to help plan Aurora's growth.
• 1949 – The City Water Department was established to manage water services.
• 1950 – The East 70 Drive-In cinema opened.
• 1954 – Hoffman Heights became a part of Aurora.
• 1955 – The Denver Regional Council of Governments was formed.
• 1965 – Norma Walker became mayor of Aurora.
• 1966 – Arapahoe Junior College opened.
• 1971
  • The Buckingham Square Mall opened.
  • The Camelot hi-rise offices were built.
• 1972
  • New local newspapers, the Aurora Advocate Sentinel and Aurora Sun, began publishing.
  • A Little League baseball team was formed.
• 1974 – The Quincy Reservoir was built to store water.
• 1975 – The Aurora Mall opened for shoppers.
• 1979
  • The Aurora History Museum was founded.
  • The Marketplace Tower I office building was constructed.
• 1981 – The Aurora Genealogical Society was founded. [1]
• 1982 – The main building for the Aurora Public Library was constructed.
• 1984 – A tragic incident occurred in the Bennett family.
• 1985 – The City Historic Preservation Commission was established to protect old buildings. [2]
• 1990 – Aurora's population grew to 222,103 people.
• 1992 – Aurora became a Sister city with Seongnam, South Korea, creating a special friendship.
• 1993 – December 13: A tragic incident took place in Aurora.
• 1994 – The US Lowry Air Force Base closed down.
• 1996
  • The city's official website went online around this time.
  • The Arabian Horse Association set up its headquarters in Aurora around this time. [3]
• 1998 – The Century cinema opened for movies.

Aurora in the 2000s: Modern Times

• 2003
  • The Aurora Municipal Center, a new city building, was completed.
  • Ed Tauer became mayor of Aurora.
• 2004 – Aurora's population reached 298,303 people.
• 2007 – Children's Hospital Colorado opened, providing important medical care.
• 2009 – Mike Coffman became the U.S. representative for Colorado's 6th congressional district.
• 2010 – The population of Aurora grew to 325,078.
• 2011
  • Steve Hogan became mayor of Aurora.
  • The boundaries of Colorado's 6th congressional district were changed.
• 2012 – July 20: A tragic event occurred in Aurora.
• 2014 – Aurora established another sister city relationship, this time with Adama, Ethiopia.
• 2017 – May 15: The Republic of El Salvador opened a consulate in Aurora, which was the first one for the city.
• 2018 – Mayor Steve Hogan sadly passed away while still in office.
• 2022 – A tragic incident occurred at Iglesia Faro De Luz Church in Aurora.