The Aurora Public Library (9-9 weekdays; 1-5 Sun., 1 Benton St., is an ivy-covered building containing more than 100,000 volumes. On the second floor are overflow exhibits of the historical society, most important of which is the Blanford Clock. Nine feet high and three feet wide, it is elaborately carved, depicting the Roman Forum and other scenes.
The clock shows the time of day, the phases of the moon, the earth’s revolution about the sun, and the calendar day, month and year. Clockwork automatically switches on lights at the approach of night, dutifully turns them off again in the morning. The clock was conceived and executed by William Blanford of Aurora, who worked intermittently on the clock during the greater portion of his life.
Hours of Operation
Monday – Thursday: 9 am – 9 pm
Friday & Saturday: 9 am – 5 pm
Sunday: School Year, 1 pm – 5 pm
Summer, Closed
Visits: 84
