Aurora Preservation Commission

The Aurora Preservation Commission is another important place to check for information, even if your home is not located in a historic district. Please call and set up an appointment to look at our resources or to inquire if we have any additional information. Resources include:

• Building permits - Records from 1913 to 1980 provide information about date, cost, contractor, owner, and often times the type of construction.
• Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps - Collection includes maps from 1888, 1897, and 1907.

Township Assessor

You can find property tax records that indicate if a property is ‘improved' or ‘unimproved.' The township assessor's record can show when an assessed value changed noticeably which can indicate when a structure or an addition was built. The Aurora Township assessor's records date back only to 1899. Most of this information can be found on the Township's website, but beware, some of it can be misleading, especially the date of construction which is often times only an estimate.

City of Aurora Water & Sewer Department

The Water and Sewer Department has recorded water taps since about 1884. These records show when the house line was tapped to the city's main water line in the street. They often show the materials that were used and the name of the plumber.

County Clerk's Office

Kane County Government Center, Building B
719 S Batavia Avenue
Geneva, IL 60134
Phone: 630-232-5964
Website

County Recorders Office's

At your county's Recorder's office, you can find deed and mortgage transactions for the land your house is on. You will need the legal description or parcel number in order to locate your house's information. Each county's records are slightly different and some helpful tips are included.