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Where the parking garage stands today at the corner of Downer Place and Stolp Avenue, there once stood the grand old city hall/police station opened in 1868 and U.S. Post Office, built in 1895. But did you know this spot was a compromise born from Aurora's famous East vs. West rivalry?
Back then, East and West Aurora were like two competitive siblings. If the Eastside got a shiny new road, the Westside would counter with new lampposts or a sewer system. This playful (and sometimes heated) rivalry spilled into politics, with each side insisting City Hall and the Post Office belong on their turf.
After much debate, the City Council made a clever decision: build both buildings on Stolp Island, right in the middle of the Fox River. This way, both sides could share in the pride of Aurora’s growth.
This iconic Post Office served Aurora until a new one opened on Benton Street in 1930. But the building didn’t lose its charm—in the late 1940s, it became the Tom-A-Hawk Club (a mix of Tomcats and Blackhawks), a fun hangout for East and West High students. Imagine teens from both sides coming together for dances, ping-pong, and good times, united by school spirit (and maybe a little rivalry).
Sadly, in 1964, the old Post Office and City Hall were demolished to make room for a parking lot. By the 1990s, the multi-level parking garage we see today replaced it.
So next time you’re at this corner, take a moment to imagine the the old buildings in this spot.