Overview
Aurora is a town in central Erie County, bordered to the north by Elma, to the east by Wales, to the south by Colden and to the west by Orchard Park. Aurora, with about 14,000 residents, contains a village, East Aurora, which contains a home once owned by President Millard Fillmore. East Aurora also is the birthplace of the Arts and Crafts Movement, founded by Elbert Hubbard as a reformist community of craft workers and artists. Fisher-Price, maker of children’s toys, is headquartered in East Aurora. A “Toy Town” museum has since closed but its operators are looking to reopen in a new location. The charming Vidler’s 5 and 10 store is on East Aurora’s Main Street. Christ the King Seminary, preparing men for the priesthood, also is located in East Aurora. The town of Aurora also counts a former Iowa governor, Horace Boies, and the founder of Master Charge (now Master Card), Karl Hinke, among its natives or longtime residents. Local Museums/Landmarks
The Millard Fillmore House, operated by the Aurora Historical Society, was built by the former president in 1825. Fillmore and his wife lived there from 1826 to 1830 while he practiced law in the area at the beginning of his political career. The house is on the National Register of Historic Places, as is the Roycroft Campus and the Scheidemantel House, an example of the arts and crafts movement. The house serves as the Elbert Hubbard Roycroft Museum. Vidler’s 5 and 10 attracts visitors from all over who are attracted to the old-fashioned store with penny candy and many other goods. |