Aurora, Oregon’s Little Known Olympic Double Win

On By Roy WidingIn Aurora Oregon, Aurora Oregon News, Aurora Oregon ReservoirLeave a comment

One secret to Aurora, Oregon’s Olympian achievements is hiding in plain sight on the edge of town. In this fact-filled video, learn how a small Oregon community dreams big in ‘going for gold.’

Aurora Oregon Goes For Olympic Gold, Swimmingly

As an Olympic bronze medalist in the 2026 Winter Olympics, Aurora, Oregon native Jackie Wiles has given Aurora an Olympic-sized claim to fame. Her success brings to mind an Olympic-sized feat of a different kind, right here in town.  

That’s because Aurora’s new water storage facility includes a massive 1.2 million gallon reservoir. The Olympic connection? That’s enough water for nearly two Olympic-sized swimming pools. The project comes with an Olympic sized price tag, too.

That’s because in late 2024, the city awarded a construction contract for more than 6 million dollars to an Oregon-based firm. The reservoir is now in place and expected to begin operation later in 2026. Constructed from long lasting, pre-stressed concrete, the reservoir has an expected lifespan of at least 40 years.

As one of Aurora’s biggest public works projects in history, this new reservoir is designed to secure the city’s future water supply far into the future. But it’s more than a giant tank. It also includes a new high-capacity booster pump station, including a powerful 1,500-gallon-per-minute fire pump to strengthen Aurora’s fire-fighting capability.

Why does this all matter? With concerns about Aurora’s water storage capacity and emergency preparedness, the need was real and Aurora’s new reservoir should dramatically improve water reliability throughout the city. Plans include several thousand feet of new water pipeline too, along Cole Lane and Ehlen Road, connecting with Aurora’s water system. The configuration takes Aurora into the modern age, with electronic controls, fiber-connected monitoring, emergency backup power and an on-site stormwater pond.

If that isn’t enough, a new well is also in the planning stages on the reservoir’s Cole Lane property to replace an older well near the city park causing interference with other wells.

What makes this project especially significant is its scale. Given Aurora’s relatively small size, this is a sign city officials are planning not just for today, but for our future growth and resilience. In the end, Aurora Olympian Jackie Wiles and the City of Aurora, Oregon have something very special in common — both dream big as they reach for the gold. And with this significant investment in Aurora’s future, imagine what we’ll look like in the next few decades!

Aurora Oregon

Aurora, Oregon’s Kasel Court: Today’s Peaceful Neighborhood Was Once A War Zone

On By Roy WidingIn Kasel Court, Aurora Oregon, Aurora Oregon History, Aurora Oregon Homes, Aurora Oregon Neighborhoods

Kasel Court is one of Aurora, Oregon’s most desirable neighborhoods — spacious homes, large lots, quiet cul-de-sac living and easy I-5 access. In some ways, Kasel Court resembles Aurora’s popular Keil Park neighborhood, with more information about Keil Park here. Yet the peaceful streets of Kasel Court are unique in hiding a surprising past. When developer Rudy Kasel proposed building Kasel Court, the town of Aurora, Oregon pushed back. The city’s historic district designation — earned in 1974 — placed rules on any new development near Aurora’s most cherished landmarks. Kasel’s proposed site sat adjacent to the venerable Keil homestead, home of Aurora’s founder Dr. Wilhelm Keil, making the battle even more charged.

What followed was a clash between one developer’s vision and a city determined to protect its historic identity. Aurora’s mayor stepped in, seeking compromise and convening workshops to find common ground between Rudy Kasel and the city’s preservation interests. Aurora, Oregon also has a connection with battle of a different kind. Learn more about Aurora, Oregon’s forgotten war hero here.

In the end, Kasel Court was built — and speaks for itself, with quality construction and a desirable location that makes this one of Aurora, Oregon’s finest neighborhoods. Available homes here are rare, so if you see an available Kasel Court home for sale, it may not last for long. Learn the ‘6 Alarming Things Homebuyers Don’t Know About Aurora, Oregon’ here.

Aurora, Oregon Antique Hunting!

On By Roy WidingIn Aurora Oregon AntiquesLeave a comment

Many who are familiar with Aurora, Oregon have come to know about Aurora through our long history of wonderful antique stores. Many visitors are also surprised to learn that Aurora’s antique heritage is tied to a much deeper local history, including the story of Aurora’s Forgotten Hero featured here.

Here’s an insightful video celebrating Aurora’s antique heritage. Enjoy!

Aurora Oregon, Memorial Day, Oregon History

Aurora, Oregon’s Forgotten Hero

On By Roy WidingIn Aurora Colony, Aurora Oregon, Aurora Oregon History, Dr. Wilhelm KeilLeave a comment

Most people don’t know that Aurora, Oregon has a hero in its midst. This Memorial Day, we remember one forgotten, heroic man from a town where history is held close.

Most people don’t know that Aurora, Oregon has a hero in its midst.

This Memorial Day, we remember one forgotten, heroic man from a town where history is held close.

That veteran is Fred Ehlen, buried in Aurora’s tiny Keil Cemetery. Fred’s surname is pronounced differently, depending on whom you ask — some say “Eel-en,” others “Ellen.” But how his name is said matters far less than his sacrifice.

Young Freddie Ehlen, Possibly Around 1910

World War I ended in November, 1918. That same month, newspaper reports reveal 19 year old Fred Ehlen was killed after fighting in France. Fred was gassed and wounded multiple times before he died.

Fred had a direct connection to Aurora’s earliest history. He was the only son of his mother Aurora Keil Ehlen, who was the last surviving granddaughter of Aurora founder Dr. Wilhelm Keil. Dr. Keil established the Aurora colony in 1856, three years before Oregon became a state. Aurora’s Ehlen Road still carries his family name.

Fred rests in Keil Cemetery. Sometimes called the Old Colony Cemetery or Keil Family Cemetery, it sits quietly off little-used Cole Road near the western edge of town. With only about two dozen marked graves, the cemetery is largely unknown. Established in 1856, the same year as the colony itself, the cemetery sits on private property and can only be reached by crossing private land — one reason so few people know it exists.

Buried not far from Fred Ehlen is Dr. Wilhelm Keil, along with members of his family, including his daughter Aurora, for whom the town was named. She died in 1862 at just thirteen years old to smallpox.

There are no Memorial Day parades in Aurora, Oregon. Remembrance here is quieter and reflective.

This Memorial Day, we honor World War I veteran Fred Ehlen, who made the Supreme Sacrifice for his country — and whose story we remember.

6 Alarming Things Homebuyers Don’t Know About Aurora, Oregon

On By Roy WidingIn 97002, Aurora Oregon Homebuyer, Aurora Oregon RealtorLeave a comment

Thinking about buying a home in Aurora, Oregon? There are 6 alarming things most Aurora, Oregon homebuyers never find out, until it’s too late. If you’d like to know some unique facts about Aurora, click here. Otherwise, watch the helpful video below before you buy any Aurora, Oregon property!

Aurora, Oregon’s Attractive Keil Park Neighborhood

On By Roy WidingIn Aurora Oregon Realtor, Aurora Oregon NeighborhoodsLeave a comment

Check out the short and insightful video below about the desirable Keil Park neighborhood in Aurora, Oregon. If you’d like to learn about another attractive place to live in Aurora, here’s a link to Aurora’s storied Kasel Court neighborhood.

Named in honor of Aurora, Oregon’s founder, Dr. Wilhelm Keil, Aurora’s Keil Park neighborhood is tidy and well kept, even on ‘garbage days.’ Keil Park is located on Aurora’s south side and was developed by builder Georgi Cam, with land purchased years ago from the Van Lieu family.

This desirable, low traffic neighborhood is one of Aurora, Oregon’s most popular and features attractive landscaping, plus an extra convenient location, within easy walking distance both to Aurora’s post office and also the Aurora City Park. Developer Georgi Cam’s reputation of high quality construction, with custom features and excellent craftsmanship are on full display here are Aurora, Oregon’s Keil Park neighborhood. Learn the ‘6 Alarming Things Aurora, Oregon Homebuyers Don’t Know’ here.