The city of Aurora, Illinois has had a long and illustrious history of production in local factories. From its founding straight through to today, Aurora has relied on the manufacturing sector, from steel and rail cars right down to heat shrink sleeves, for economic stability.
The city itself was actually founded as a sawmill site by Joseph and Samuel McCarty. The most important founding for the area, however, came in 1856 when the Chicago Burlington and Quincy Railroad built its rail car construction and repair shop in Aurora. Over the next 100 years, this would prove to be the largest employer for the city. From valve repair to engine construction, no city produced and repaired more rail cars than Aurora.
Perhaps the best result of the railroad being in Aurora was the influx of both factories and immigrant workers. Having the railroad to ship goods like counterweights across the country made Aurora an attractive sight for new factories, and immigrants from Europe skilled in machinery and manufacturing had a great opportunity to start a new life. Textile and clothing manufacturing also became a big industry, something that many of the immigrant workers were experienced with.
The 1900's were a wonderful time for the city of Aurora, as the city experienced an industrial boom. Thanks in large part to the railroad, steel fabrication became a big part of Aurora business as raw materials produced in Gary, Indiana could be shipped via rail to Aurora for manufacturing everything from a steel girder to a front auto plate. Aurora was one of America's strongest manufacturing cities until 1974, when the railroad shops that were so vital closed down.
Aurora went through some tough times after that, with unemployment soaring to 16% by 1980. Though many industrial sites were established by the end of the decade, it wasn't until 1993, when a riverboat casino was built in the downtown area, that employment started to recover. The casino not only brought jobs back to the city, but helped prop up the economy, allowing the establishment of much needed industrial areas for the manufacturing of products like duplex strainers and construction equipment.
Though it may no longer be the industrial powerhouse it once was, Aurora was one of the strongest industrial communities for over 100 years. The rail shops may be gone, but what they brought to the city can never be taken away. | 