Batavia, Historic riverside settlement in DuPage County, Illinois, United States
Batavia sits along the Fox River with limestone buildings and tree-lined neighborhoods spread across its area. The city connects different parts through walking paths and green spaces.
Christopher Payne founded the settlement in 1833 as Big Woods, though it was renamed Batavia in 1840. During the 19th century, the place grew into a regional manufacturing center for industrial goods.
The Batavia Depot Museum shows the city's manufacturing past from the 19th century, when local crafts like windmills were produced here. The community values this connection to its industrial roots and keeps these memories visible.
Public buses serve the city through Pace services, with nearby train stations in Geneva and Aurora for longer trips. Multiple parking areas are available in downtown, and walking paths make it easy to move around the area.
The city had a long history with water mills that were once built here and shaped its early economy. This focus on local production was unusual and set the place apart from many neighboring settlements.
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