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Aurora Postcard History: Jo Fredell Higgins

Gustavo Cox

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Aurora, Illinois is a city with a rich history, and its postcards are no exception. From the early 1900s to the mid-1950s, Aurora was home to a prolific postcard publisher and collector named Jo Fredell Higgins. Higgins' postcards provide a unique glimpse into the city's past, and her work continues to be admired by collectors and historians today.

Aurora (Postcard History)

by Jo Fredell Higgins

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Language	:	English
File size	:	46498 KB
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Print length	:	128 pages
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Early Life and Career

Jo Fredell Higgins was born in Aurora, Illinois in 1874. She was the daughter of German immigrants, and she grew up in a modest home on the city's east side. Higgins showed an early interest in art, and she began painting and drawing as a child. After graduating from high school, Higgins attended the Chicago Art Institute, where she studied painting and illustration. Upon graduating from the Art Institute, Higgins returned to Aurora and opened her own studio. She quickly gained a reputation for her талант as a portrait painter, and she soon began receiving commissions from wealthy families throughout the region.

Postcard Publishing

In addition to her work as a portrait painter, Higgins also developed a passion for postcard collecting. She began collecting postcards from all over the world, and she soon amassed a large collection of over 10,000 cards. Higgins' collection included postcards of all types, from風景 to portraits to historical scenes. She was particularly interested in postcards that depicted Aurora, and she often used her own photographs to create her own postcards.

In 1907, Higgins began publishing her own postcards. Her early postcards were simple black-and-white images of Aurora landmarks. However, as her business grew, Higgins began to experiment with more creative designs. She began using color photography, and she often added hand-painted details to her postcards. Her postcards quickly became popular with tourists and local residents alike, and she soon became one of the leading postcard publishers in the Midwest.

Notable Postcards

Higgins published hundreds of postcards over the course of her career. Some of her most notable postcards include:

The Aurora Armory (1908): This postcard features a photograph of the Aurora Armory, which was built in 1886. The armory was used by the Illinois National Guard, and it was the site of many important events in Aurora's history.
The Aurora Public Library (1910): This postcard features a photograph of the Aurora Public Library, which was built in 1903. The library was one of the first Carnegie libraries in Illinois, and it has been a central part of Aurora's community for over 100 years.
The Aurora Riverfront (1915): This postcard features a photograph of the Aurora Riverfront, which was a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. The riverfront was home to many businesses and attractions, including the Aurora Boat Club and the Aurora Fox River Trolley.
The Aurora West Side (1920): This postcard features a photograph of the Aurora West Side, which was a thriving neighborhood in the early 20th century. The West Side was home to many businesses, churches, and schools, and it was a popular destination for immigrants from all over the world.
The Aurora Zoo (1925): This postcard features a photograph of the Aurora Zoo, which was founded in 1925. The zoo was a popular destination for families, and it was home to a variety of animals, including lions, tigers, bears, and monkeys.

Legacy

Jo Fredell Higgins died in Aurora in 1955. She was 81 years old. Higgins left behind a legacy of beautiful and historic postcards that continue to be treasured by collectors and historians today. Her work provides a unique glimpse into the history of Aurora, and it is a testament to her талант as an artist and a publisher.