Aurora is known for its historic downtown area and the ornate Hillforest mansion built for Thomas Gaff who earned his fortune shipping goods on the Ohio River by steamboat. Landmarks include Aurora Public Library, Downtown Aurora Historic District and Aurora City Hall. Aurora is the birthplace of Elmer Davis, politician.
Aurora, Indiana gifts and souvenirs: 40 designs made from Aurora's own map, landmarks and history, from $10 to $99. Printed to order and shipped free in the USA.
| Popular | Price |
|---|---|
| Aurora Hometown Ornament | $23 |
| Aurora Landmarks Photo Poster | from $40 |
| Aurora Vintage Travel Poster | from $40 |
| Aurora Varsity Crewneck | from $57 |
| Aurora Est. Tee | from $33 |
| Aurora Town Line Mug | from $26 |
Ceramic keepsake, gold ribbon, in 4 styles
Famous natives, by birth year
Nine local landmarks, archival matte
Its landmark photo in a classic travel-poster layout
A local landmark photo as a gallery print
Classic large-letter postcard art, filled with local photos
Six local landmarks as instant photos on kraft paper
The town's story in dates, from its own records, for home or classroom
Map of local landmarks, washable fabric
Heavy-blend fleece, street map printed on the back
Red heavy-blend crewneck, knit-stitch town print
Soft Bella+Canvas jersey
Kids' Bella+Canvas jersey, youth sizes
Bella+Canvas toddler jersey
Bella+Canvas baby bodysuit
Large-letter postcard art filled with local photos
Glossy ceramic, dishwasher safe
Large-letter postcard art filled with local photos, 11 oz ceramic
Weatherproof, for the front walk
24″×16″, printed coir-look fibers, rubber back
12″×12″ printed wood, ready to hang
Soft-touch, zip cover
A local landmark photo with the town name, 18″×18″
Sturdy all-over-print tote
Large-letter postcard art on a sturdy tote
Foam-front trucker, printed (not embroidered) with local photos
Glossy top, cork back
Soft fleece, 50″×60″
Six local landmarks as instant photos, soft fleece 50″×60″
20 oz, double-wall stainless
6″×4″ postcard, glossy front
6″×4″ postcard, glossy front
6″×4″ postcard, glossy front
6″×4″ postcard, glossy front
The town's earliest Sanborn fire-insurance map, drawn building by building and hand-coloured, from the Library of Congress
From the Library of Congress collections: a historic survey drawing or photograph of the town
From the Library of Congress collections: a historic survey drawing or photograph of the town
From the Library of Congress collections: a historic survey drawing or photograph of the town
From the Library of Congress collections: a historic survey drawing or photograph of the town
From the Library of Congress collections: a historic survey drawing or photograph of the town
Named for Aurora (goddess of dawn in Roman mythology).
Population 2010: 3,750 → 2020: 3,479
From Wikidata (CC0).
Aurora was platted in 1819. It was named for Aurora, the goddess of dawn in Roman mythology. Aurora was incorporated as a town in 1822 and became a city in 1848, though some sources say 1845.
Aurora is known for its historic downtown area and the ornate Hillforest mansion built for Thomas Gaff who earned his fortune shipping goods on the Ohio River by steamboat. The mansion was designed by architect Isaiah Rogers and was completed in 1855 in the Italian Renaissance style. The design is symmetrical. Details include deep overhangs, arched windows and balconies and porches. Hillforest was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1992.
Aurora was once a sundown town, a place unwelcoming to non-whites after dark. The Aurora Journal reported on September 9, 1937, a reader's concern about a sign posted along the river that read, "Don't Let the Sun Set on You in Aurora" with the inclusion of a common racial slur for a Black person. The article concluded, "The sign has been down for some time, but the idea still holds good."
In addition to Hillforest, the Aurora City Hall, Aurora Methodist Episcopal Church, Aurora Public Library, Downtown Aurora Historic District, First Evangelical United Church of Christ, First Presbyterian Church, George Street Bridge, Lewis Hurlbert, Sr. House, Leive, Parks and Stapp Opera House, Levi Stevens House, and George Sutton Medical Office are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Adapted (trimmed) from the Wikipedia article Aurora, Indiana, revision 1377556741 by its contributors, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
We share a part of every Aurora sale with local partners, and we'd love to print from your collection. Old photographs, maps and postcards make the best keepsakes.
Partner with usA favorite landmark, your street, a school or team, an anniversary gift, a different product. Tell us and we'll get back to you by email.
4 free coloring pages of Aurora, each traced from a photo of a local landmark. Print them at home, at school or for story hour.
Aurora's population was 3,479 in the 2020 U.S. Census, down from 3,750 in 2010.
Hillforest
George Street Bridge
First Methodist Church
Lewis Hurlbert, Sr. House