GAR Memorial Building
Why it's listed
Standing on Stolp Island in downtown Aurora, this octagonal limestone building at 23 East Downer Place was erected in 1877 as a Civil War memorial. Designed by architect Joseph Mulvey in the Gothic Revival style, it has projecting gable wings, clasping buttresses, pointed arched windows and a cupola topped by an eight-foot bronze infantry soldier. Fundraiser Fred O. White persuaded Aurora to build a useful building rather than a monument, modeled on a memorial hall in Foxboro, Massachusetts. It served as a public library from 1881 until 1903 and as home to Aurora Post No. 20 of the Grand Army of the Republic, which lasted until its last member died in 1947. A 1903 stair tower was added, while an 1884 addition was removed in 1964. In the early 1960s the city demolished its neighboring City Hall and Post Office, but public outcry saved this building. It remains Aurora's sole surviving building from that group of civic structures.
Significance in brief: It is one of Aurora's most widely recognized landmarks and the sole survivor of a group of nineteenth century civic buildings that included City Hall and the Post Office. Its compact octagonal design, prominent location and ties to Civil War veterans and the city's civic life qualify it. It was saved from demolition in the 1960s after public protest.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 84001130, listed August 23, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 23 E. Downer Pl., Aurora |
|---|---|
| County | Kane County |
| Listed | August 23, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84001130 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Joseph Mulvey (architect); L.H. Waterhouse & Son (masonry) and C.B. Colwell (carpentry) contractors |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Owned by the City of Aurora and occupied as a museum; described as in fair condition and in need of repairs and restoration, though its basic integrity has survived. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.75667, -88.31575 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 84001130.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5594252
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.