Stolp Island
Encyclopedia
Stolp Island is a small island in the Fox River
in Aurora, Illinois
. In 1986 the island and its 41 buildings were added to the National Register of Historic Places
as the Stolp Island Historic District. It covers 0.03 square mile (0.0776996433 km²) of land area.
East Aurora was incorporated as a city in 1845, and West Aurora followed in 1854. The Aurora area received its first major economical boost when the Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy Roundhouse and Locomotive Shop was constructed in 1856. Prior to this point, commercial development was strictly fit to meet local needs, but the new train station and shops provided new customers. In 1857, following efforts by William Parker, the two cities joined as one city. The city charter was approved on the condition that a new city hall would be built on Stolp Island. It was constructed in 1865 and featured a post office on the first floor.
Public organizations also saw Stolp as an ideal island to serve both sides of Aurora. The Grand Army of the Republic Hall
was opened in 1877 to serve Grand Army of the Republic
Post No. 20. The island also housed a Carnegie library
and the first YMCA
building. In the 1920s, the north end of the island, previously prone to flooding, was expanded and reinforced with landfill
. While Aurora became a major steel exporter in the early 20th century, Stolp Island was used exclusively for commercial and public uses.
The Columbia Conservatory of Music was a school for music, art, dancing, and foreign languages. It was presided over by Dr. Detweiler and closed when he decided to retire. Hotel Aurora was constructed in 1917 and surpassed Hotel Arthur
as the tallest building in Aurora. The Renaissance Revival structure was built in hopes that the newly-expanded north end would help Stolp Island become a major attraction. Two office buildings were designed in the Prairie Style by George Grant Elmslie
: the Keystone Building
(1923) and the Graham Building (1926). The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
constructed a lodge in 1926 with details resembling Mayan architecture. A third major hotel, Leland Tower
, was constructed across the street in 1928 and was operated by the same family as Hotel Arthur. When it opened, Hotel Leland was the tallest building in Illinois outside out Chicago. The Rapp and Rapp
Paramount Theatre
opened in 1931 and operated continuously until a 1976 restoration.
Fox River (Illinois River tributary)
The Fox River is a tributary of the Illinois River in the states of Wisconsin and Illinois in the United States. There are two other "Fox Rivers" in southern Illinois: the Fox River and a smaller "Fox River" that joins the Wabash River near New Harmony, Indiana.-Wisconsin:The Fox River rises near...
in Aurora, Illinois
Aurora, Illinois
Aurora is the second most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois, and the 112th largest city in the United States. A suburb of Chicago, located west of the Loop, its population in 2010 was 197,899. Originally founded within Kane County, Aurora's city limits have expanded greatly over the past...
. In 1986 the island and its 41 buildings were added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
as the Stolp Island Historic District. It covers 0.03 square mile (0.0776996433 km²) of land area.
History
The island is named after Joseph Stolp who purchased the island for $12.72 in 1848. He constructed a mill on the island with Zaphna Lake and the McCarty brothers. The dam for the mill was completed in 1835. By 1848, the town had grown to over 1,000 people. As Aurora grew, the Fox River caused a separation between the two halves of the city, leading to animosity between them. Stolp Island, then, became an ideal location for Aurora's government structures, as it was not confined to either side.East Aurora was incorporated as a city in 1845, and West Aurora followed in 1854. The Aurora area received its first major economical boost when the Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy Roundhouse and Locomotive Shop was constructed in 1856. Prior to this point, commercial development was strictly fit to meet local needs, but the new train station and shops provided new customers. In 1857, following efforts by William Parker, the two cities joined as one city. The city charter was approved on the condition that a new city hall would be built on Stolp Island. It was constructed in 1865 and featured a post office on the first floor.
Public organizations also saw Stolp as an ideal island to serve both sides of Aurora. The Grand Army of the Republic Hall
Grand Army of the Republic Hall (Aurora, Illinois)
The Grand Army of the Republic Hall is an historic building located at 23 East Downer Place on Stolp Island in Aurora, Illinois, in the United States.-History:...
was opened in 1877 to serve Grand Army of the Republic
Grand Army of the Republic
The Grand Army of the Republic was a fraternal organization composed of veterans of the Union Army, US Navy, US Marines and US Revenue Cutter Service who served in the American Civil War. Founded in 1866 in Decatur, Illinois, it was dissolved in 1956 when its last member died...
Post No. 20. The island also housed a Carnegie library
Carnegie library
A Carnegie library is a library built with money donated by Scottish-American businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. 2,509 Carnegie libraries were built between 1883 and 1929, including some belonging to public and university library systems...
and the first YMCA
YMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
building. In the 1920s, the north end of the island, previously prone to flooding, was expanded and reinforced with landfill
Landfill
A landfill site , is a site for the disposal of waste materials by burial and is the oldest form of waste treatment...
. While Aurora became a major steel exporter in the early 20th century, Stolp Island was used exclusively for commercial and public uses.
The Columbia Conservatory of Music was a school for music, art, dancing, and foreign languages. It was presided over by Dr. Detweiler and closed when he decided to retire. Hotel Aurora was constructed in 1917 and surpassed Hotel Arthur
Hotel Arthur
Hotel Arthur, also commonly known as the Traction Terminal Building, is a historic, six-story building in Aurora, Illinois. It was originally designed as a hotel to service travelers on the Fox River...
as the tallest building in Aurora. The Renaissance Revival structure was built in hopes that the newly-expanded north end would help Stolp Island become a major attraction. Two office buildings were designed in the Prairie Style by George Grant Elmslie
George Grant Elmslie
George Grant Elmslie was an American, though born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, Prairie School architect whose work is mostly found in the Midwestern United States...
: the Keystone Building
Keystone Building (Aurora, Illinois)
The Keystone Building in Aurora, Illinois is a building from 1922. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. The structure is one of two buildings on Stolp Island designed by George Grant Elmslie, the other one being the Graham Building...
(1923) and the Graham Building (1926). The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is an American fraternal order and social club founded in 1868...
constructed a lodge in 1926 with details resembling Mayan architecture. A third major hotel, Leland Tower
Leland Tower
Leland Tower is a twenty-two story tall building located on Stolp Island in Aurora, Illinois.Stolp Island is recognized as a Historical District by the National Register of Historical Places. Leland Tower was at one time the tallest building in Illinois outside of Chicago and dominates the downtown...
, was constructed across the street in 1928 and was operated by the same family as Hotel Arthur. When it opened, Hotel Leland was the tallest building in Illinois outside out Chicago. The Rapp and Rapp
Rapp and Rapp
The architectural firm Rapp and Rapp was active in Chicago, Illinois during the early 20th century. The brothers Cornelius W. Rapp and George Leslie Rapp of Carbondale, Illinois were the named partners and 1899 alumnus of the University of Illinois School of Architecture...
Paramount Theatre
Paramount Theatre (Aurora, Illinois)
The Paramount Theater, also known as the Paramount Arts Center, opened in Aurora, Illinois in 1931. It was designed by Rapp and Rapp in the Art Deco style with Venetian elements. Over the years, it has hosted films, plays, musicals, concerts, comedy shows, and other acts. The structure was restored...
opened in 1931 and operated continuously until a 1976 restoration.
Buildings on island
- Benton St. Bridge (east branch)
- Aurora Public Library
- Downtown Auto Service Station
- U.S. Post Office
- Downer Place Bridge (east branch)
- Linden & Lake Plumbers Building
- Aurora Herald/Freemasons Building
- Aurora Coin & Stamp Building
- G. A. R. Memorial BuildingGrand Army of the Republic Hall (Aurora, Illinois)The Grand Army of the Republic Hall is an historic building located at 23 East Downer Place on Stolp Island in Aurora, Illinois, in the United States.-History:...
- Fox Theatre Building & Promenade
- Aurora Silver Plate Mfg. Building
- Aurora Greenhouse
- Stolp Woolen Mill StoreStolp Woolen Mill StoreThe Stolp Woolen Mill Store was built in 1860. It is located on Stolp Island in Aurora, Illinois. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. It is also a contributing building in the Stolp Island Historic District.-History:...
, separately listed on the NRHP - Stolp Woolen Mill Dye House
- VIP Realty
- Metropolitan Business College
- Sherer Building
- Galena Blvd Bridge (east channel)
- Aurora Civic Center Authority Offices
- Paramount TheatreParamount Theatre (Aurora, Illinois)The Paramount Theater, also known as the Paramount Arts Center, opened in Aurora, Illinois in 1931. It was designed by Rapp and Rapp in the Art Deco style with Venetian elements. Over the years, it has hosted films, plays, musicals, concerts, comedy shows, and other acts. The structure was restored...
- Block & Kuhl/Carson Pirie Scott Building
- North Island Center
- New York Street Memorial Bridge
- Hotel AuroraHotel Aurora (Aurora, Illinois)The Hotel Aurora, also known as Aurora Hotel, is a hotel built in 1917 on Stolp Island in Aurora, Illinois.It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982....
- Moose Building/Isle Theater
- Stanley's Furniture Building
- Keystone Building (Aurora, Illinois)Keystone Building (Aurora, Illinois)The Keystone Building in Aurora, Illinois is a building from 1922. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. The structure is one of two buildings on Stolp Island designed by George Grant Elmslie, the other one being the Graham Building...
- Graham Building (Aurora, Illinois)Graham Building (Aurora, Illinois)The Graham Building is a 1926 Prairie style building on Stolp Island in Aurora, Illinois. It was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Also, it is a contributing property in a historic district....
- 37 S. Stolp Ave.
- Assell's Photo Shop
- Barfoot Charley's Diner
- Leland TowerLeland TowerLeland Tower is a twenty-two story tall building located on Stolp Island in Aurora, Illinois.Stolp Island is recognized as a Historical District by the National Register of Historical Places. Leland Tower was at one time the tallest building in Illinois outside of Chicago and dominates the downtown...
- Illinois Bell
- Columbia Conservatory of Music
- Aurora Elks Lodge No. 705Aurora Elks Lodge No. 705The Aurora Elks Lodge No. 705 is a Mayan style building on Stolp Island in Aurora, Illinois. It is included in the Stolp Island Historic District. The building was built in 1926 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980....
, separately listed on the NRHP - Building at northwest corner of Stolp & Galena