If requested to explain a perfect antiquing vacation spot, it might be a small city with historic buildings and a dozen or extra individually owned retailers. Drive a couple of half-hour south of Portland, Oregon, and after some twists and turns you can come throughout a city named Aurora. The inexperienced fields, Nineteenth-century buildings, and surrounding city names make you assume for a minute you may need made a incorrect flip and ended up in Ohio or Vermont. A city like this can be a pleasant discover anytime, however notably when it’s stuffed with antiques.
After shifting to the world in 2022, the primary point out of the city of Aurora was from a neighbor speaking about an architectural remnants store known as Aurora Mills. Not lengthy after we discovered about an public sale home, McLaren, which we wrote about late final yr.
These could also be the principle points of interest, or simply icing on the cake, however the historic properties and different city buildings are all stuffed with vintage retailers. Many have multi-levels, an array of things spanning the twentieth Century all steps from one another making this an ideal Saturday get-away.

Homes in a number of sizeable buildings Aurora Mills presents an array of {hardware}, doorways, gates, lumber, and lighting in addition to uncommon furnishings, promoting indicators, stained glass, and different objects.
One other must-see is Whistle Cease Junction Antiques, a store that gives largely lighting objects homes within the historic Aurora practice station. Primary Road Merchantile is one other sizeable store with multi-levels and a wide selection from quite a lot of value factors.

Even when you’re not purchasing for something specifically, it’s enjoyable to pop in and see the historic buildings from the within. Aurora was a German and Swiss Christian communal society with the primary inhabitants arriving round 1850 when the inhabitants of Portland was lower than 1,000 individuals. Among the buildings are a part of the Previous Aurora Colony Museum, however many are energetic companies – some with antiques even displayed on the market in bed room closets.
There’s even a recognized historical past of furnishings made right here by colonists. In response to the colony web site, made by a handful of craftsmen, Aurora furnishings is marked by its easy, straight traces, the pediments that topped cupboard furnishings, and the turned spindles that embellish beds, cradles, and benches. You possibly can see some examples right here.
Aurora is a gem each by way of the structure and the gathering of history-related companies all clustered in a single space. I’m positive it is going to be a frequent Saturday vacation spot for a few years to return.
Listed here are a couple of further pictures of what you’ll encounter in Aurora.



Uncover extra from City Artwork & Antiques
Subscribe to get the most recent posts despatched to your e mail.