Silo Tree Finds New Home

As many North Aurora residents may be aware, there used to be a lighted Christmas tree atop the silo. We are ourselves where did it go? When? Why? And to answer those questions, first we’ll start off with a little history of this beloved tree.

 

As far as our records show, the tree was created in 1984 by employees of the Belson Manufacturing Company, North Aurora residents, and also in collaboration with the North Aurora Fire Protection District, North Aurora Lions Club, and the North Aurora Business Association, and placed atop the silo. For many years, the North Aurora Protection District provided assistance by keeping it lit annually during the holiday season.

 

In 2017, the Village received the silo and the land around it for the Silo Illumination and Restoration project and thus took ownership of the tree. Due to lights being added to the silo roof and construction work to restore the top of the silo as part of the illumination project, the tree was taken down.

 

When doing so, Village staff discovered that the tree was in rather poor condition after being atop the silo for so many years and needed a little TLC. We know how much this tree means to the community, so our Public Works Department took on the task of restoring the tree to get it into working condition so we can present (get it? ) it this year and will continue restoration efforts in the off-season.

 

We are excited to announce that the tree has been set up in Riverfront Park as an addition to the holiday light display. It is displayed by the rain garden, which is right off the parking lot behind Village Hall, so we invite the community to drive right on up and take a look.