Eola Yards - Aurora, IL

Before 1834, the land known as Aurora provided homes to many Native Americans. After the Blackhawk War in 1834, Europeans claimed the land. Until 1857, Aurora actually existed as East Aurora and West Aurora, each sitting on its respective side of the Fox Valley River. The two towns joined in 1857 and formed the town of Aurora. Stolp Island, in the middle of the Fox Valley River, held and still holds the town’s government buildings.

Following the Chicago and Aurora Railroad, the Chicago Burlington and Quincy Railroad built a roundhouse and shop in Aurora the year before the towns merged. The largest employer in the Fox Valley Region, the economy in the area soared until the railroad shut its doors in 1970. From that point until the construction of the Hollywood Casino in 1993, Aurora experienced an economic and employment slump.

Find out more about Aurora’s intriguing history by stopping by the Aurora Historical Museum in the downtown area. You might learn about some famous people who live or have lived in the town, such as author Clive Cussler and meteorologist Tom Skilling.

Those who enjoy the fine arts are likely to enjoy visiting the Paramount Theatre. The theater opened in 1931, underwent a full-scale restoration in 1976, and still features beautiful and historical architecture. While the building has breathtaking features, most people go to see the musicals, comedy shows and productions of Broadway shows.

Most dining options in Eola Yards are located on or near the intersection of Eola Road and Aurora Avenue. Grab a steamy bowl at Zoup, which offers a range a soup, salad and sandwiches in a casual setting. The restaurant's daily soups vary but include premium options such as lobster bisque and classic broccoli cheddar. Asian, American and Mexican salads are available, and Zoup also offers a range of "sandwichz," including a turkey club or roast beef.

Take a short two-mile drive south to find the popular bakery Pie Boss. This carry-out bakery creates pie masterpieces, such as the best-selling pepper steak pie or the spinach and feta pie. Pie Boss also has expertise in desserts, including the unique South African custard tart.

Blackhawks fans head to Chelio's Pub & Grill for hockey and beer. Great drink specials keep locals coming back, and the bar raffles off a real Hawks' jersey during games. Order up some Irish nachos, and enjoy watching one of the 24 TVs dotting this joint.

The most common modes of transportation used in Aurora are cars and trains. A Metra Rail line runs from Aurora to Union Station in Chicago and back several times throughout the day. This route is known as the Burlington Northern Santa Fe line, and many Eola Yards residents that work in the city take advantage of it. The other option for travel in and out of the area comes from the Interstate 88 toll road. Running east and west, this road takes drivers 40 miles east into the Loop and all the way to Iowa in the other direction.

You can find plenty of inexpensive parking in the downtown Aurora area when you visit the sites. The town organizes the on-street and parking lot spaces by color, so it's easy to know how long you can park legally.

Within the neighborhood limits, many families enjoy spending time at the Birmingham Park. This park includes a playground, a basketball court and a baseball diamond. The serene lake on its campus makes it the perfect spot to spend a summer afternoon.

In the South Farnworth neighborhood, directly south of Eola Yards, you can find the Oakhurst County Forest Preserve. The 55-acre Lake Patterson provides an ideal place for boaters, fishermen, and nature-lovers to enjoy the day. Come to the 22-acre woodland area to find hiking trails, picnic shelters and historic sites. Both parks feature kid- and dog-friendly areas.

The large lots, upscale houses, excellent schools, and proximity to downtown Chicago all make Eola Yards an in-demand area to live. Renters and homeowners should expect a cost of living that is about 42 percent above the state average. The average price of a two-bedroom apartment rental costs about $1,500.

The Westfield Fox Valley mall serves Eola Yards and is one of the largest malls in the Chicago suburbs. Macy's, JC Penney, Sears, and Carson Pirie Scott anchor the shopping center, which also hosts 150 retail shops. Shoppers head to apparel stores such as the Buckle and H&M, as well as other luxury boutiques like Pandora and Brighton Collectibles for a little more flair. Located in the town of Naperville, Westfield Fox Valley sits a quick four miles from Eola Yards.

For groceries, residents often shop at Jewel Osco or travel to the southeast corner of the neighborhood for Mariano's. Costco and Walmart, only four miles away in Naperville, are also popular options.

Between June and October of every year, Aurora hosts its famous farmers market in the downtown area. Providing fresh veggies, baked pastries, and artisan cheeses, this farmer's market dates back to 1912 and features new and exciting products every year.