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Aurora, Illinois

"The City of Lights"

Aurora was one of the first cities in the United States to install an all-electric street lighting system in 1881, earning it the nickname 'City of Lights' — and yes, it's the Aurora from Wayne's World.

Founded 1857 | Population 180,935 | Peak 200,965 (2010) | County Kane

Top 10 Most Important Events for Aurora, Illinois

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1834 Settlement Founded:

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1857 City Incorporated:

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1881 Electric Street Lights Installed:

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1891 Aurora, Elgin and Fox River Electric Railway:

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1931 Paramount Theatre Opens:

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1960 Caterpillar Plant Peak:

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1992 Wayne's World Released:

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2006 Hollywood Casino Opens:

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2010 Population Peaks Above 200,000:

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Latest News in Aurora

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Complete Historical Timeline

1834

Joseph McCarty founds settlement on Fox River

1857

Aurora incorporated as a city

1881

Electric street lighting installed — 'City of Lights' born

1891

Electric interurban railway begins service

1908

Aurora becomes major railroad junction with CB&Q railroad

1931

Paramount Theatre opens as Art Deco showpiece

1960

Caterpillar plant at peak employment

1978

Paramount Theatre restored and reopened

1992

Wayne's World film puts Aurora on the pop culture map

2006

Hollywood Casino opens on Fox River

2010

Population peaks above 200,000

Did You Know?

Aurora's population is one of the most diverse in Illinois, with significant Latino, Asian, and African American communities making up the majority of residents.

The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad headquarters were in Aurora, making it one of the most important rail towns in the Midwest.

Actor Mike Myers based Wayne Campbell's Aurora on stories from his SNL castmates who grew up in Chicago's western suburbs.