Two Brothers Roundhouse, Railway roundhouse in Aurora, Illinois, United States
Two Brothers Roundhouse is a railway roundhouse in Aurora, Illinois, built from locally quarried Batavia limestone, with stalls arranged in a semicircle around a central turntable pit. The structure now functions as a restaurant and event space operated by Two Brothers Brewing Company.
The roundhouse was built in 1856 for the Chicago and Aurora Railroad and later became part of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy rail network, where it stayed in use until 1974. After years of sitting empty, it was converted in the 1990s into its current use.
The name Two Brothers comes from the brewing company that now runs the space, giving the old rail building a new identity tied to local food and craft beer. Inside, the semicircular shape of the original stalls is still visible and gives the dining area an unusual feel.
The roundhouse is open to the public as a restaurant, so checking current hours before visiting is a good idea since they can vary by day. A reservation is worth considering for larger groups or when visiting during a busy period.
Walter Payton, the Chicago Bears running back, was involved in transforming the building into a dining and event venue in the mid-1990s. This connection to sports history comes as a surprise to many visitors who walk in not knowing what the space used to be.
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