Aurora

The city of Aurora was founded much later than its nearby counterparts of Denver and Colorado Springs. Aurora was first settled in 1891 by a wealthy real estate businessman. The real estate tycoon that first paid for the settlement of the town soon gave up on his investment, however, and left the residents behind with heavy debts. The city was soon named Aurora after that, shedding its former name of Fletcher.

Like many other towns and settlements in the region, Aurora was established as a response to the powerful Gold Rush phenomenon. The Colorado area as a whole was largely ignored by settlers and prospectors during the early 1800s, and would not see significant settlement until later in the 1800s. The rough terrain and seemingly minimal mineral deposits made Colorado an area that most typically ignored, choosing instead to pass through easier routes on their way toward places such as California.

With the establishment of Denver, and the discovery of the Pikes Peak gold deposits, the entire Colorado area suddenly became a vital region of trade in the United States. Many new towns and settlements soon appeared to capitalize on the newly found mineral wealth of the territory. With the arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad, the area was truly inundated with settlers. Many wealthy prospectors came not only in search of gold, but also on the lookout for land that they could buy up.

Donald Fletcher was one such enterprising speculator. The real estate tycoon bought up a great deal of land, founding a city that he would name Fletcher after himself in 1891. When the investment proved to be less successful than he had hoped, Fletcher quickly left town. The residents of the town soon decided to rename the city after Fletcher departed. Aurora, or “dawn” in Latin, was to be the name of the city when it was incorporated in 1929.

Today, the metropolitan areas of Denver and Aurora have grown together, so that Aurora is considered a suburb of the greater Denver area. Despite representing more than half of Denver’s residents, it is not usually considered a really separate entity. Denver possesses the downtown business and night life, making it the distinctive center of the pair. Since World War II, Aurora has maintained a rapid rate of expansion, and is one of the fastest growing cities in the nation.

Economy of Aurora

The primary economic focus of Aurora has traditionally been the Fox River. The river provides substantial power, and has made saw and textile mills possible for years. By the time Aurora was founded and began to grow, the gold rush was subsiding. As such, Aurora relied on its timber industry to remain economically healthy.

The focus of the Aurora economy began to shift with the arrival of the railroad around the turn of the century. Aurora became heavily involved in the production of railroad cars. Aurora is known to have produced some of the first dining cars used in the United States. This production of railroad cars laid the foundations of a heavy industry that would remain to the present day.

Of note in the Aurora area, the Caterpillar company owns and operates a plant out of the city. The local industrial association lists over a hundred members. Heavy industry still has a place in Aurora, despite its current metamorphasis into the suburban area that it is today. Aurora today has become a major exporter of construction equipment and other electronics. Alongside its suburban stretches, several industrial parks also exist.

Aurora has a number of economic incentives now in place to encourage the growth of small business in the area. The local Small Business Center assists companies in finding funding and in creating business plans. Many Residents of Aurora typically make a daily commute to the Denver or Colorado Springs area to work during the day.

Tourism Attractions

Aurora has many tourism attractions in the surrounding area. Colorado is an exceptionally beautiful state, and Aurora is no exception. The Bear Creek Canyon Park provides a great taste of the outdoors in Colorado, and is conveniently located nearby the city. The Aurora History Museum is another great location to visit during any stay in Colorado, and the museum regularly holds great events like antique appraisal fairs. Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum is home to over three dozen military craft and space vehicles. Lastly, consider visiting Cherry Creek State Park for a relaxing time while in the Aurora area.

Aurora Home Mortgage

Have an itch to move to Aurora Colorado? Want to buy a house in Aurora. First you’ll need to help obtaining a Home Mortgage in Aurora.

Aurora Family Dentistry

If you are planning to move to the Aurora Colorado area or have recently relocated to Aurora and you are looking for a good Aurora Family Dentist, the best way is to ask your old dentist to see if he or she has a colleague in Aurora. Many family dentists will typically keep in contact with many dentists all over the US when they are attending dental seminars and conventions.