The history of the Aurora Roundhouse begins in 1856, when Aurora, Illinois was chosen as the site for a major car building and repair shop by the Chicago Burlington and Quincy Railroad. Originally, twenty-two stalls were built to house and repair locomotives. Eight additional stalls were added in 1859, and in 1864, the final ten stalls were added to the Roundhouse, making it a complete circle. Further additions and improvements between 1863 and 1923 included two fireproof buildings, a 701 foot artesian well, an engine house for the car department, a new coal house, and an electric powerhouse. In 1867, a new depot was built, along with the additions of two stone roundhouses and other shops.

In 1868, bridges were built linking the C.B.&Q. with other railroads in Missouri and Iowa. Approximately 122 locomotives were used in the system, making C.B.&Q. the largest railroad operating in Illinois in 1870. By 1872, 165 locomotives were in the railroad system with over half having been built at the Aurora shops. In 1875, C.B.&Q. consolidated with the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad to form an even larger company. 1880 was an important year for C.B.&Q. They forged into Nebraska, expanding their operation, and by 1881, they had four major divisions; Chicago, Galesburg, St. Louis, and Iowa.

In 1901, James J. Hill, the owner of the Great Northern and Northern Pacific Railroad Lines, took over the C.B.&Q. Railroad. By 1914, the C.B.&Q. had passed an appropriation of over $3,500,000 for the development of a new depot in Aurora and to elevate the main line of tracks running through the city. All together, 9,300 miles of track were in tact.

As the years passed, the Aurora shops continued to prosper, but redirected most of their efforts towards building passenger cars. By 1930, Zephyr's had been developed and Aurora did all their wheel and axle work. Smoking cars, baggage cars, and dining cars were also built at the Aurora shops.

1960 saw a major decline in railroad service, as the automobile became the prevailing form of transportation. In 1974, the Aurora shops closed and within a few years the Aurora shops had been demolished, with the exception of the original roundhouse structure and its connecting shops.

The Aurora Roundhouse lay empty and deteriorating for many years until 1995, when the Aurora City Council voted 10-0 to permit Walter Payton, NFL Hall of Famer, and his partners Scott Ascher, Pam Ascher and Mark Alberts to redevelop it. It then became Walter Payton's Roundhouse Complex, housing America's Brewpub, America's Brewing Company, America's Banquets, the Walter Payton Museum, and an open air entertainment courtyard. It officially opened on March 21, 1996, celebrating the 140th year of the roundhouse. The Aurora Roundhouse is the oldest existing limestone roundhouse in the nation.

*** A special thanks to George K. Malina for his unique kite photo of the Roundhouse.

Thanks, George!