Living in Aurora Village
Aurora Village is a vibrant place to live, shop, work, and play. Yonge Street serves double duty as the main thorough fare as well as the actual Main Street for the Town of Aurora. This is where the greater Aurora community interacts, plays, celebrates, shops, and entertains. The heritage buildings along Yonge Street and the heritage homes on the interior residential streets have a charm and quaintness that few neighbourhoods can match.
Aurora Village is a wonderful neighbourhood for families with a great selection of schools and recreational amenities nearby. Aurora Village landmarks include the Aurora Public Library, Aurora Public School, Town Park, Aurora Historical Society, Fleury Park and The Aurora Go Station.
History of Aurora Village
Many of the first settlers in Aurora were Quaker families who emigrated here from Pennsylvania around 1800. By 1804 these pioneers had formed a new hamlet at the crossroads of Yonge Street and Wellington Street. This farming community became known as Machell’s Corners named after Richard Machell, a prominent merchant who operated a general store on the southeast corner of Yonge and Wellington Streets.
In 1854 when a new post office opened on Yonge Street the community henceforth; became known as Aurora. This name was chosen by community leader Charles Doan in reference to the ancient Roman goddess of dawn. Doan viewed the arrival of the Ontario Huron and Simcoe railway as the dawn of a new era of prosperity for Aurora.
In 1863 Aurora had officially become a Village and in 1888 it was incorporated as a Town. By the 1930s Aurora Village closely resembled the neighbourhood it is today. A remarkable number of heritage homes and buildings have been preserved in this neighbourhood which is a tribute to the residents both past and present who share a pride of ownership in their beautiful community.
Homes in Aurora Village
The Heritage Conservation District situated in the northeast quadrant of Yonge Street and Wellington Avenue has a variety of architectural styles including: Victorian Gothic Revival, Edwardian/Foursquare, Second Empire, Italianate, Georgian, Colonial and Arts and Crafts.
South of Wellington you will find alot of small frame and brick bungalows as well as ranch style and split level houses. There are also frame Victorian style houses from the 1920s and 30s as well as newer Victoria revival townhouses. North of Wellington beyond the heritage district the houses are built mostly in the 1970s and 80s. They have a colonial revival sryle and a mix of brick and frame siding exteriors. The garages are attached and tend to protrude at the front. There are also some townhome comminities in this part of the neighbourhood off Old Yonge Street.
Lifestyle in Aurora Village
Downtown Aurora centred on Yonge Street and Wellington Street has the look and quaintness of a small town. The heritage commercial buildings on Yonge Street are absolutely charming and enjoying a new life as a thriving shopping district with a nice mix of independent shops and restaurants along with professional offices.
Recreation in Aurora Village
McMahon Park located off Fleury Street is a quaint neighbourhood greenspace with a pavillion and children’s playground. This park is the home of the Aurora Community Tennis Club and Aurora Lawn Bowling Club. Craddock Park off Batson Drive has a sports field.
Arts in Aurora Village
The Aurora Cultural Centre is located at 22 Church Street in a magnificent 1886 heritage building that was the former home of the Aurora Public School. This community arts hub includes four show galleries as well as a wide range of instructional classes for all ages, a live music series, special family events, and a summer arts camps.