West Side Historic District (Aurora, Illinois) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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West Side Historic District
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Charles P. Burton House, a significant building in the district
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roughly bounded by W. Downer Pl., Lake St., Garfield Ave., and S. Highland St., Aurora, Illinois |
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| Architectural style | Queen Anne; Italianate; Colonial Revival; Bungalow; Craftsman; Classical Revival; Prairie School |
| NRHP reference No. | 86001484 |
| Added to NRHP | August 13, 1986 |
The West Side Historic District is a special area in Aurora, Illinois. It is located on the west side of the Fox River. This district includes ninety-eight buildings. Seventy-seven of these buildings are very important to the area's history.
Contents
History of the West Side District
Aurora was started by Samuel and Joseph McCarty in 1835. They platted the town, which means they drew out the streets and land plots. Many settlers from the eastern United States liked Aurora. It was close to Chicago, but still had beautiful scenery.
Aurora's Growth and the Railroad
In 1855, a big train company, the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, moved its main office to Aurora. People expected many new jobs and a lot more people to move there. So, Aurora planned a new area for homes west of the Fox River.
The city grew very fast during this time. Its population almost doubled between 1860 and 1874. Most of the new homes were built near the river. Some also followed streets further west. In the 1880s, more factories and businesses came to Aurora. This meant the city needed better services for its people. A cool fact is that Aurora was the first city to have electric street lights in 1881!
Building Styles in the District
The west side was first known for its many Italianate style homes. This style often has tall windows and wide eaves. Between 1882 and 1890, two large apartment buildings were built on Downer Place.
Later, in the 1890s, the Queen Anne style became very popular. These homes often have towers, turrets, and decorative details. Smaller homes were built in the American Foursquare style. Some of these also showed influences from the Prairie School style, which focused on horizontal lines and natural materials.
Famous Residents of the West Side
The west side district was home to many wealthy citizens of Aurora.
- David Hurd was a local pharmacist. A pharmacist is someone who prepares and sells medicines. He owned a Second Empire style home built in 1856. This house is now a recognized landmark in Aurora.
- Fred O. White was the mayor of Aurora. A mayor is the leader of a city. He designed a Queen Anne style home. Sadly, he passed away before it was finished, but his wife completed it. His sisters-in-law, Mary and Emma Todd, later moved into the house.
- William Jobbins was the president of Alba Manufacturing Co. This means he was in charge of a company that made things. He lived in a Colonial Revival style home built in 1909.
- Ira Clifton Copley was a very important person. He was a Colonel in the military. He started a newspaper company called the Copley Press. He also served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1911 to 1923. This is part of the U.S. government that makes laws. His large home, known as the Col. Ira C. Copley Mansion, was designed by Jarvis Hunt and built in 1917.
